Cosmos Red Dazzler (Cosmos bipinnatus) 100 Flower Seeds
Red Dazzler flower seeds are a type of cosmos that produce vibrant red blooms with yellow centers, typically growing on tall stems. They are easy to grow and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
These big, red flowers are sure to impress anyone. If the color feels a bit too strong, you can mix them with other wildflowers to soften the look. This annual wildflower is super easy to cultivate, making it a great pick for novice gardeners.
Thanks to their Mexican roots, these vibrant annuals thrive in high heat and dry conditions, showcasing their natural beauty and strength. Spanish explorers on the hunt for gold stumbled upon these flowers during their travels in Mexico. Mission gardens often featured these blooms, which priests named "cosmos," a Greek term meaning a harmonious whole, due to their evenly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their debut in England thanks to Spanish ambassadors in the late 1700s, and they arrived in the United States in the next century.
Latin Name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Species Origin: Mexico
Type: Garden Flowers
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 4,000
Stratification: No Stratification
Germination Ease: No Stratification
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height: 48 Inches
Color: Red
Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall
Uses: Cut Flowers
Sowing: In the early spring or right after the last frost, sprinkle the seeds of Cosmos Bipinnatus dazzler on top of loose soil. Keep the soil slightly moist until they germinate, which should happen in about 10-20 days when the soil temperature is between 65-75 degrees F. If the soil is cooler, germination might take longer. You don’t need to thin the seedlings, but you can transplant them if they seem too crowded. Since these Cosmos Bipinnatus dazzler seeds sprout quickly in warm soil, you can plant them anytime before midsummer for another round of flowers. To start seeds indoors, sow them on the surface of a flat 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost; keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature of 70-75 degrees F until they germinate. Once there’s no risk of frost, you can move them outside.
Growing: Make sure to water these plants regularly until they start blooming; after that, they become pretty drought-resistant. Don’t over-water this flower, as it thrives in dry conditions and heat; if there’s a long dry spell, give the plants a deep watering now and then. If you notice blooming slowing down, trim the plant back to 12" to encourage new growth; you’ll see more flowers in about 4 weeks. Taller plants might need some support or staking. If you let them self-seed, this flower will give you a new batch of blooms next year. Plus, it attracts birds, butterflies, and bees.
Harvesting: Cosmos flowers are beautiful and make great long-lasting cut flowers. Cut long stems of blossoms that have just opened, and take off any leaves that would be submerged in water. These flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase. Cosmos blossoms also look great as dried flowers.
Seed Saving: Let the flowers shed their petals and form spiky seed heads. Once they’re ripe, these heads will turn brown or dark brown and can be easily crumbled to expose the narrow, sharp seeds. Take the ripe seed heads and lay them out to dry in a spot that’s not in direct sunlight. After they’re fully dried, break the heads apart to get the seeds out from the husk. Keep the cleaned Cosmos Bipinnatus dazzler seeds in a cool, dry location.
