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Cosmos atrosanguineus (Chocolate cosmos, Black cosmos)

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 3 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Cosmos atrosanguineus KOZ-mose at-tro-san-GWIN-ee-us

Common Name: Chocolate cosmos, Black cosmos 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
User Reviews
Photos

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 Flower; Red Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Container, Cut Flower, Cottage Garden
Seasonal Interest	Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by glister78
8/15/2010
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Zone: 7

Beautiful chocolate satin blossoms- chocolate both in color and fragrance! Looks fabulous with any silver foliage. I have never had any problems with pests or disease- performs continually from spring to frost with deadheading. It's true, you need to actually 'smell' the flower in order to get the chocolate fragrance- but that's okay by me! The flowers look great in arrangements and gold finches love them too!

posted by judgehort
1/25/2010
Region: Northeast
Zone: 7

I grew Cosmos atrosanguineus in Zone 5 [where it died, overwinter, of course], and in Zone 9 [where it died overwinter]. I could smell chocolate, but only if I inserted a bloom into a nostril. Will I try it again in Zone 7? Probably not.

posted by rebkev
4/9/2008
Region: West
Zone: 10

really smells like cocoa! despite the aphids, i love the deep color and elegant dancing heads of the flowers.

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