Free Wallpapers : Home >> Flower Wallpapers >> Autumn Flowers : Cosmos Flowers in Field (Vol.01)

Autumn Flowers : Cosmos Flowers in Field (Vol.01)

1. Pink Cosmos Flower and Bee, Close up Picture

Wallpaper Resolution(s) : **| 1024*768 |**

Related Cosmos Wallpaper :

| Cosmos Flowers and Cosmos Flied (Vol.03) , 44pics, 1600*1200 + 1680*1050 |
| Cosmos Flowers and Cosmos Flied (Vol.02) , 20pics |

Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly called the garden cosmos or Mexican aster, is a medium sized flowering herbaceous plant sometimes grown in gardens. It can be found in the wild in much of North America where it is a garden escapee, sometimes becoming weedy.

This species is considered a half-hardy annual, although plants may re-appear via self-sowing for several years. The plant height varies from two to four feet. The cultivated varieties appear in shades of pink and purple as well as white. Its foliage is finely-cut into threadlike segments. When flowering, the plant can become top heavy. This problem is alleviated when grown in groups, as the bi-pinnate leaves interlock, and the colony supports itself.

Some of the varieties of Cosmos bipinnatus in cultivation today include:

* Sensation is a widely available mix of tall varieties
* Versailles and Sonata, developed for the cut flower trade, are shorter than the species, with heights remaining below three feet
* Daydream features a pink inner ring on a white background
* Seashells features quilled petals

Growth characteristics of this plant include:

* Germination takes between 7 and 10 days at the optimal temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 °C); flowering begins between 60 and 90 days after germination
* It prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.5, reflecting its native habitat in the alkaline regions of Central America
* Flowering is best in full sun, although partial shade is tolerated
* The plant is tolerant to drought after germination, and is seldom subject to insect or disease damage

The flowers of Cosmos attract birds and butterflies, including the Monarch butterfly.