Cosmos Sensation Mixed
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Description
Cosmos 'Sensation Mixed' Seeds
If you only grow one thing from seed this year, make it Cosmos 'Sensation'. This beloved variety produces tall, ferny, airy stems topped with large, open, saucer-shaped flowers in shades of pure white, soft pink, and deep carmine-magenta. It's the ultimate cottage garden classic—romantic, prolific, and utterly reliable.
This is the ultimate "low effort, high reward" plant. It grows rapidly to form a large, bushy cloud (up to 1.2m tall) that sways beautifully in the wind. It is a true cut-and-come-again flower factory—the more you pick for your vases, the more buds it will produce, often flowering non-stop from July right through to the first frosts of November. Perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, this is the variety that creates those dreamy, flower-filled borders you see in magazines.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sensation Mixed' is a robust Half-Hardy Annual (H2). Native to the sun-baked hillsides of Mexico, it is biologically programmed to thrive on neglect. It possesses the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), a mark of excellence that guarantees it will perform reliably in the UK garden.
The "Starvation" Rule: One of the most critical aspects of Cosmos biology is its dislike of rich soil. If grown in manured ground or treated with high-nitrogen fertilizers, the plant will put all its energy into massive green foliage, often failing to produce any flowers at all. For the best floral display, plant it in poor, dry, or sandy soil and avoid feeding.
Late-Season Biodiversity: As an RHS Plant for Pollinators, 'Sensation Mixed' is a vital resource for British bees and butterflies. Because it flowers so late into the autumn, it provides a high-quality nectar source at a time when most other garden flowers have faded, helping pollinators prepare for winter hibernation.
🌱 Growing Guide
Cosmos is one of the easiest and fastest plants to raise from seed, making it a perfect project for beginners or children.
How to Sow:
Sow indoors from March to May for early blooms, or direct sow outdoors in May or June once the soil has warmed. Sow seeds 5mm deep into moist seed compost. Germination is rapid, typically occurring within 7-14 days at a constant temperature of 20°C.
Where to Plant:
They demand full sun and thrive in poor, well-drained soil. They are the perfect solution for filling large gaps at the back of a sunny border or for establishing an instant, high-volume cutting patch. Space plants 45cm apart to allow their bushy, cloud-like habit to develop fully.
Ongoing Care:
To encourage a sturdy, multi-stemmed plant, pinching is essential. When seedlings reach 15-20cm tall, pinch out the top growing tip; this prevents the plant from becoming too "top-heavy" and toppling over in late summer. Weekly deadheading is also vital—never let the flowers go to seed if you want them to continue blooming until the first November frosts.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sensation Mixed' |
| Common Name | Cosmos 'Sensation' |
| Plant Type | Half-Hardy Annual |
| Hardiness | H2 (Frost sensitive) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 90cm - 120cm (Tall) |
| Spread | 50cm |
| Spacing | Plant 45cm apart |
| Flowering Period | July to November |
| Perfect For | ✂️ High-Volume Cut Flowers 🐝 Bees & Butterflies 🏰 Back-of-Border Filling 🏆 RHS AGM Excellence |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 100 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The soft, ferny foliage of Cosmos acts as a perfect textural "weaver," harmonising with these available seeds from our collection:
- ☁️ Ammi majus: The Texture Match. The lacy white umbels of Ammi majus (Bishop's Flower) mingle perfectly with the broad, open saucers of the Cosmos. This is a quintessential florist's pairing, creating a dreamy, "wild meadow" display that looks spectacular in a vase.
- 💜 Salvia viridis 'Blue': The Vertical Contrast. The deep indigo-blue spikes of this Salvia provide a brilliant structural counterpoint to the billowing, cloud-like habit of the 'Sensation' Cosmos. The rich blue bracts also help ground the soft pinks and whites of the Cosmos mix.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring or direct sow once the soil warms for an unstoppable harvest of saucer-shaped blooms from mid-summer until the first frosts.
✨ Vase Life Tip
Cosmos are a true "cut-and-come-again" flower. For the longest vase life of 5-7 days, harvest the stems when the buds are just beginning to open their petals, and never let spent flowers go to seed on the plant.
🏆 Essential Spring-Sown Classic
Known for its stamina and ability to thrive in poor soils, Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sensation Mixed' is an essential choice for those wanting to create a romantic, low-maintenance garden that supports a huge variety of British pollinators.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Annuals →
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
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Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
