Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Thomocha'

42.14603043, -87.79003906

Cosmos

The dark, velvety maroon flowers of Choca Mocha™ cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Thomocha') perfume the air with the fragrance of chocolate. Plant this nonhardy perennial native of Mexico in full sun after the danger of late frosts has passed; it is insect- and disease-resistant. Once thought to be extinct in the wild, the chocolate cosmos, according to recent reports, may have been rediscovered. In the meantime, long-lost fertile populations have survived in New Zealand gardens for years, as scientists vainly tried to get the one surviving sterile clone at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to set seed. The Choca Mocha™ strain is shorter than the species but has the same yummy fragrance.

Soil:
Moderate
Plant Shape:
Mounded
Exposure:
Full Sun
Bloom Time:
May - June
July - August
September - October
Bloom Color:
Red
Landscape Use:
Bedding or Border
Wildlife Interest:
Attracts Birds
Attracts Butterflies
Plant Type:
Perennial
Hardiness Zone:
9 - 11