Cosmos bipinnatus Sonata™ Red Shades | Compact Pot Flower | Cosmos Seeds

Cosmos bipinnatus Sonata™ Red Shades is a compact, richly flowering cosmos with striking blooms in deep red, crimson and rich reddish-pink shades. The intense colour gives this variety a stronger, more dramatic appearance than traditional pastel cosmos, while the delicate petals and finely divided foliage retain the airy elegance characteristic of Cosmos bipinnatus.

Part of the popular Sonata™ series, Red Shades combines beautiful, generously sized cosmos flowers with a naturally compact and well-branched habit. It is an excellent choice for pots, containers, patios, balconies, borders and smaller gardens where taller cosmos varieties may require too much space.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Cosmos bipinnatus
Common name: Garden Cosmos
Variety: Sonata™ Red Shades
Series: Sonata™
Life cycle: Annual
Plant habit: Upright, compact and branching
Height: approx. 61 cm
Width: approx. 30–36 cm
Spacing: approx. 30–41 cm
Flower colour: Red, crimson and rich reddish-pink shades
Exposure: Full sun
Blooming season: Late spring through late summer
Use: Pots, containers, borders, flower beds and decorative plantings

Rich Red Shades

Sonata™ Red Shades is distinguished by its rich spectrum of warm red tones, ranging from deep reddish pink and crimson to more intense red shades. The natural variation between individual flowers creates a lively and attractive display rather than a completely uniform block of colour.

The darker flowers make Red Shades particularly effective when a stronger colour accent is wanted in summer planting schemes.

The red tones combine beautifully with white, blush, pale pink, lavender and purple. For a richer palette, pair them with burgundy, dark foliage and other warm summer colours.

Compact Sonata™ Series

The Sonata™ series offers the characteristic beauty of Cosmos bipinnatus on plants with a more compact and manageable habit than many traditional tall cosmos varieties.

Sonata™ Red Shades grows to approximately 61 cm tall and 30–36 cm wide, forming an upright, naturally branching plant with numerous flowers.

Its compact habit makes it particularly suitable for:

• Pots and decorative containers
• Balcony and patio planting
• Smaller gardens
• Flower beds and borders
• Group and mass plantings
• Seasonal summer displays

It is an excellent option for gardeners who love cosmos but want a variety that fits easily into smaller spaces.

Sowing

Seeds can be started indoors for earlier flowering or direct sown outdoors once the soil has warmed and the danger of frost has passed.

Germination temperature: 18–22°C
Germination time: approx. 7–10 days
Sowing depth: approx. 5–10 mm

Sow into a fine, well-drained seed-starting substrate and keep evenly moist without overwatering.

After germination, provide plenty of light to encourage strong, compact plants. Harden seedlings off gradually before planting outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.

Growing Sonata™ Red Shades

Choose a position in full sun with well-drained soil. Space plants approximately 30–41 cm apart to allow their naturally branching habit to develop.

Water moderately and avoid permanently wet soil. Cosmos does not require excessively rich soil. Too much nitrogen can encourage lush foliage at the expense of flower production.

Regularly removing faded flowers helps encourage continuous flowering throughout the summer and keeps plants looking fresh.

The open flowers are also attractive to pollinating insects, making Sonata™ Red Shades a beautiful addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.

Why Choose Sonata™ Red Shades?

Compact Sonata™ series • Rich red and crimson shades • Approx. 61 cm tall • Naturally branching habit • Excellent for pots and containers • Ideal for balconies and patios • Long summer flowering • Easy to grow • Full-sun variety • Attractive to pollinators

Cosmos Sonata™ Red Shades (Cosmos bipinnatus) is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for compact cosmos seeds for pots and gardens with richer, deeper colour than traditional pastel cosmos. Its dramatic red shades, airy foliage and manageable growth make it a beautiful addition to summer containers and flower beds.