Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
A carefree annual that thrives in sunny gardens with little fuss. Cosmos bloom continuously and add a light, airy feel to beginner beds.
Quick facts
- Sun
- Full
- Season
- Summer, Fall
- Pollinators
- bees
- Zone
- 7–10
Where it shines in PNW gardens
Cosmos is a reliable annual for Pacific Northwest gardens, especially in brighter beds where summer growth really takes off. Expect blooms in Summer and Fall, with extra value for bees. In the PNW, the big win is sun + drainage—avoid soggy winter soil if you can.
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Other plants that share similar traits.
Borage
→A fast-growing annual herb covered in star-shaped blue flowers loved by bees.
Calendula
→A cheerful, cool-season annual with bright orange or yellow daisy-like blooms. Calendula thrives in Pacific Northwest spring and fall gardens, attracts pollinators, and often self-seeds for next year.
California Poppy
→Bright orange blooms that attract bees and tolerate dry PNW summers.