Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ is a newer cultivar of Cosmos bipinnatus, a species originally native to Mexico and parts of Central America. This variety was bred for its unique and soft pastel tones—blooms start as a pale apricot-pink with a warm, lemon-yellow centre and fade to soft blush as they age. It was developed through selective breeding to create a colour not typically seen in cosmos, making it a standout in ornamental gardens.

HOW IT GROWS
Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ is a hardy annual that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It grows quickly, forming soft, ferny foliage and reaching about 60 to 90 cm tall. The blooms appear in abundance over a long season, especially if deadheaded regularly. This variety does well in most Australian gardens and is both drought-tolerant and heat-tolerant once established. It is an excellent choice for attracting pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and makes a great cut flower.

HOW TO GROW IT FROM SEED
Sow cosmos seeds directly into the garden after the last frost, or start them indoors 4 to 6 weeks earlier. Sprinkle seeds on the surface of moist soil and lightly press them in, as they need light to germinate. Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days in warm soil, ideally around 20°C.

Once the seedlings have grown a few sets of true leaves, thin them to around 30 to 45 cm apart. Cosmos prefers poor to average soil—too much fertiliser can result in lush foliage but fewer flowers. Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency, as overwatering can lead to leggy plants. Deadhead spent blooms to extend the flowering season, and support may be needed in windy areas due to their height and light stems. This variety may self-seed under the right conditions, reappearing the following year.