Cosmos seem to be enjoying a surge in popularity at the moment, I think that not only are gardeners realising what dependable flowers they are for the mixed border but are also beginning to value them as cut flowers. There are number of new cosmos from various seed companies this year, I'll look at some of the others another time.
‘Sweet Kisses', from Mr Fothergill's Seeds, is a lovely semi-double form with broad white petals edged in magenta pink with smaller petals emerging around the bright yellow eye. If you remember the old variety called ‘Picotee', it's the same basic colouring but with semi-double flowers and - unlike the last batch of ‘Picotee' that I grew - every plant will feature that lovely bicoloured look.
An excellent mingler for mixed borders, if you like to pick cosmos for cutting cut them when the buds are showing colour - don't wait for the flowers to open fully on the plant. As soon as you bring them indoors they should open. The flowers should last seven to nine days if flower food is added to the water and it always pays to pick flowers every day, just to keep them coming.
You can buy Cosmos ‘Sweet Kisses' by mail order from Mr Fothergill's Seeds.