Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) KOZ-mose at-tro-san-GWIN-ee-us Synonyms:  Bidens atrosanguinea Genus:  Cosmos A chocolate scented flower! Dark red-brown, sometimes almost black, velvety flowers on long, slender, reddish brown stems bloom from early summer to autumn. Chocolate cosmos is a tuberous-rooted, tender perennial native to Mexico that can be overwintered indoors where not hardy. Grow in a border or in containers where the flowers can be appreciated up close. They also make good cut flowers. Noteworthy Characteristics:  Chocolate fragrance; dark, almost black flowers over a long period; good cut flower. Care:  Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Deadhead and provide support. Mulch in autumn where hardy, or lift the tubers and keep frost-free during winter, storing them in barely moist peat. Propagation:  Root basal cuttings with bottom heat in early spring. Problems:  Stem canker, powdery mildew, Rhizoctonia stem rot, gray mold, and aphids sometimes cause problems.

Overview

Height 1 ft. to 3 ft. Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft. Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun Only Moisture Dry to Medium Maintenance Moderate Characteristics Attracts Butterflies, Fragrant Flowers, Showy Flowers Bloom Time Fall, Summer Flower Color Brown, Red Uses Beds and Borders, Cottage Garden, Container, Cut Flower Seasonal Interest Summer Interest Type Perennials