Cosmos Seeds - Picotee

Cosmos Seeds - Picotee features a stunning variety of Cosmos flowers with beautifully defined edges. These flowers are a perfect blend of elegance and vibrancy, making them a striking addition to any garden. Known for their unique bi-color petals, the Picotee variety will bring a refined and eye-catching display to your landscape.

Key Benefits

• Unique Bicolor Flowers: The Picotee Cosmos features flowers with white petals edged in a contrasting color, often pink, purple, or red, creating a striking, eye-catching effect.
• Long Blooming Season: Enjoy beautiful blooms from summer to fall, providing color throughout the growing season.
• Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos are known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
• Low Maintenance: These flowers are easy to grow and thrive with minimal care, making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
• Versatile Garden Use: Ideal for flower beds, borders, wildflower gardens, and even containers.

Variety Features

• Flower Color: White flowers with distinct edges in shades of pink, red, or purple, creating a beautiful contrast.
• Flower Size: Each flower typically ranges from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, adding a bold yet delicate touch to your garden.
• Height: These Cosmos plants grow between 2 and 4 feet tall, making them perfect for back-border plantings or mid-garden placements.
• Bloom Time: Cosmos Picotee blooms from mid-summer to the first frost, ensuring months of vibrant color.
• Hardiness Zone: Best suited for USDA Zones 2-11, these plants are adaptable to a wide range of climates.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Best Planting Time: Cosmos seeds should be planted after the last frost in spring, or started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost for an earlier start.

Planting Details

• Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil.
• Spacing: Space the seeds or young plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for optimal air circulation and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers light, well-drained soil. These flowers are adaptable to poor soil but grow best in slightly acidic to neutral pH soil.
• Sunlight: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and abundant flowering. Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Watering Needs: Water regularly during dry spells, but Cosmos are drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering, as it may lead to root rot.
• Drainage: Ensure that the soil has good drainage to prevent standing water around the roots.

Fertilization

• Fertilizer: Cosmos Picotee are not heavy feeders. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Use a light, balanced fertilizer if necessary.
• Fertilizing Frequency: Fertilize once at planting time and again in the middle of the growing season if needed.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and extend the flowering period.
• Cutting Back: If plants become leggy, prune them by half to encourage more compact growth and better blooms.

Pest and Disease Management

• Pests: Cosmos are generally resistant to pests, but you may occasionally see aphids or caterpillars. Treat with organic pest control methods as needed.
• Diseases: While Cosmos are generally disease-resistant, they can be susceptible to fungal diseases in overly wet conditions. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overcrowding.

Storage

• Seed Storage: Store unused seeds in a cool, dry place, in an airtight container to ensure longevity for future plantings.
• Winter Care: As Cosmos are annuals, they will not survive frost. After the first frost, cut back the plants and compost the remains.

Practical Uses

• Cut Flowers: The unique bicolor blooms of Cosmos Picotee make for beautiful cut flowers, perfect for floral arrangements and bouquets.
• Wildflower Gardens: Create a stunning wildflower display by including this variety, which will complement other native plants.
• Borders and Beds: Plant them in the back or middle rows of flower beds or borders for a continuous splash of color.
• Containers: Cosmos Picotee also thrives in containers, adding charm to patios, balconies, and terraces.

Conclusion

Cosmos Seeds - Picotee offers a beautifully distinctive flower with elegant bicolor petals, perfect for adding charm and visual interest to any garden. With their long blooming period, easy care requirements, and ability to attract pollinators, these Cosmos are a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Whether you're designing a flower bed, planting a wildflower garden, or filling containers, Cosmos Seeds - Picotee will create a stunning focal point in your outdoor space.