A prolific pair

Two favourite annuals that add colour through summer in the garden are cosmos and zinnias. Perfect for growing in borders or containers, they are also ideal to grow as cut-and-come-again flowers for the cutting garden. A vase brimming with cosmos and zinnias is sure to brighten up any room.

Cosmos

These daisy-like flowers catch and dance in the slightest breeze and are prolific bloomers. Forming clouds of ‘pale pastels, bright whites and zingy fruit colours, cosmos bring to mind those lazy, hazy days of summer,’ says Sarah Missing, owner of seed specialist nursery Plants of Distinction.

Cosmos are easy to grow and, if they are grown organically, are also edible. Attractive to bees and other pollinators, many self-seed for several years, making them an economical and showy half-hardy annual. Cosmos grow tall, up to 2.5m with their fine, feathery deciduous foliage,, the most commonly grown, also known as Mexican aster, originates from the Americas.