Chocolate Cosmos

Cosmos atrosanguineus, or Chocolate Cosmos, is a tuberous perennial featuring deep maroon colored flowers with velvety looking petals and a chocolate brown colored center. The Chocolate Cosmos grows fairly fast in full sun conditions with regularly weekly watering. Water may be needed more often in extremely hot or dry conditions. They will grow to be about twenty four to thirty inches high, and span a width of about eighteen inches. Blooms will begin to emerge in June, and will continue to bloom all through the summer and into the fall months before winter sets in.

In milder climates, the Chocolate Cosmos may be left in place over the winter months, however, in harsher climates, they may need to be lifted from the ground and stored over winter. Unlike many varieties of Cosmos, Chocolate Cosmos may not be planted from seed because the flowers are sterile and no seeds exist. The only way to propagate these plants is to divide the root ball. The Chocolate Cosmos originated in Mexico in the year 1902, but no longer exists in its native habitat. This means that every plant of this variety originates from the very same plant.

Another interesting fact about this plant is that not only does it bear the name “chocolate”, it also smells like chocolate! The scent becomes more intense as the day wears on, so by late afternoon or early evening it should be noticeable. Even though it smells delicious, no parts of the plant are edible. Their smell is attractive to butterflies and will draw them to pay a visit to your garden.

Chocolate Cosmos Flower SeedsCOSMOS atrosanguineus ‘Black Magic’ Chocolate Cosmos

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Chocolate Cosmos make a great addition to any garden and is commonly used in borders, beds, and foundation plantings. They blend in well with tall grasses and work perfectly in cottage and country garden settings. Because of their dark color, when planted with other flowers and plants with deep red, maroon, purple, or burgundy hues, they would work well in a gothic garden. For the gothic garden, plant in areas where you would like a bit of height and enjoy blooms throughout summer and into fall. Consider planting with other “gothic” looking flowers such as Black Pansies, Black Hollyhocks, and even dark colored vegetables plants for a dark and mysterious look, and add a gargoyle sculpture amidst the flowers for a nice accent.