Orange Cosmos by Rose Moradian
Cosmos are one of the most widely recognized and used wildflower in a cutting flower garden. Often Cosmos are pastels, pinks and whites. Less common and more tenacious are Sulfur Cosmos, coming in orange and yellows. Cosmos are prolific bloomers and reseed freely.
Cosmos are annuals, blooming spring thru fall, but the seeds they drop continue their legacy the following year. If you can recognize the tiny seedlings you can move them around the garden to a more appropriate location, considering the bright orange color can clash. One plant can make as many baby plants as the area will allow, so its great for as a colorful 
background, but not a center piece.
Give them an they take a state. Cosmos thrive on neglect. Do not fertilize them or they will stop blooming! No wonder they are such a popular wildflower! I use Sulfur Cosmos in Wendys Garden as a filler both in the ground and in the vase.
The stems are shorter than the pastel cosmos. The plant itself can be up to 4′ tall with wide branching habit, better to drop seeds, you see. I cut an entire branch and as a colorful fringe for flower arrangements. I also am growing a light yellow, almost banana colored cosmos at the Lafond Garden, collected from a friends garden in Tennessee.
Of course, the Lafond Garden is partially a wildflower garden as you will see when you visit. Orange sulfur cosmos look good with red Roses, Sunflowers, blue Phlox, Salvia Ulglinosa and Ladies Bells. Its such a vivid color! Hardly a shy plant, holding its own in the fabulous jungle of Wendys!
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