Cosmos 'Sensation' Seeds

Cosmos Sensation produces a mix of soft pinks, clean whites, deep rose shades and warm reds. The tones range from pale blush through to a rich plum-crimson. The balance varies naturally from plant to plant, so every patch looks slightly different.

Sow March to June under cover or in pots, or April to June direct outdoors. Seedlings usually appear in 7–14 days. Watering: moderate watering; drought tolerant once established.

Cosmos Sensation typically reaches around 90cm, sometimes taller in a good season. The stems are thin and wiry with feathery foliage. Give plants at least 30cm spacing to allow them to bush out and hold themselves upright without staking.

Yes. Cosmos are excellent for cutting. The stems are long and the flowers last four to five days in a vase, sometimes longer with fresh water. Cutting regularly encourages more blooms. A mix of colours from a Sensation patch makes for varied, natural-looking arrangements. Harvest: Pick flowers as they open for best vase life. Flowering runs June to October.

No. Cosmos actually prefer lean soil. Rich, heavily fed ground pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Plant in a sunny spot with ordinary, well-drained garden soil and leave them to it. No extra feeding is needed. Grow it in full sun, well-drained soil, thin seedlings to 30cm apart.

Yes — this is a straightforward packet to give, and what makes it work as a gift is mostly timing. Sowing runs March to June, so a packet given inside that window can go straight in, and one given outside it keeps perfectly well until the season comes round.

There are approximately 80 seeds in the packet. On effort it looks after itself, which matters if you are giving it to someone new to growing. It suits cut flower gardens, borders, large pots and pollinator patches, so it works for a small space as well as a garden.