Cosmos atrosanguineus 'Chocamocha'

Chocolate cosmos, Cosmos atrosanguineus, is a tender Mexican perennial grown as much for its scent of vanilla and hot chocolate as for its dusky brownish-red late-summer blooms. It's perfect for growing in a hot sunny garden, and makes an exotic cut flower.

Cosmos atrosanguineus ‘Chocamocha’ has even more of a chocolatey fragrance than the species, and is also more compact, so may not need staking.

Grow Cosmos atrosanguineus ‘Chocamocha’ as a tuberous dahlia, in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In northern regions, lift the tubers to overwinter indoors. Alternatively mulch well in autumn or raise in pots which you can move indoors.