Octobers Birth Month Flowers continued - Cosmos

Following on from my recent post about the Marigold being an October birth flower, the Cosmos is the other birth flower for October.

The Cosmos
Cosmos bloom in a number of colours, from orange, red, and yellow to pink, purple, and white.

Native to Mexico, the annual flowers are daisy-like and sit atop long, thin stems that can grow up to 6 feet tall. The colourful petals radiate from a yellow centre.

A member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), cosmos make a great addition to flower gardens.

Cosmos Meanings and Symbolism

• The genus name comes from the Greek word kosmos, meaning order and harmony of the universe.
• The flowers have long symbolized order, harmony, and balance. Others believe it is a sign of peace, love, joy, and innocence.
• A red cosmos represents love and passion; pink means a mother’s love; yellow symbolizes friendship; white is a sign of faithfulness and devotion.
• It was once thought that cosmos could attract fairies to gardens.
• There was an element of luck associated with growing cosmos, as they were thought to repel unwanted insects from destroying other plants.
• The plants have many medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Over the years, they have been used to fight infections, treat skin issues, improve circulation, and more.

The Cosmos in History
The cosmos was originally brought to Spain from Mexico in the 16th century, then plants were introduced to England in the 18th century. By the mid-19th century, they were common in gardens in the United States, too.

Spanish priests in Mexico grew cosmos in their mission gardens. They gave it this name because of the orderly arrangement of the petals.

It is a popular gift, including for 2nd wedding anniversaries, where its inclusion in bouquets is common.

Cosmos in the Garden
An annual, cosmos is easy to grow and will often re-seed itself. The plant can grow in hot, dry conditions and provides blooms from early summer to the first frost.

Cosmos do best with at least a half-day of direct sunlight. Some varieties will need staking as they grow tall during the summer months.

Overwatering can lead to fewer flowers, so keep a watchful eye on the water you provide your plants.

Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the bloom. Cut plants back once flowers are filled with dried seed to encourage re-blooming. The original plant will bloom again in a month or so, and the seeds that fall to the ground will germinate in the hot soil and lead to more plants and a thicker cluster.

The above image and words from article here

I hope you found this an interesting read, even if you do not celebrate a birthday this month.

and with October in mind have you tried this recipe for
Leek and Chorizo Frittata,
Leeks are a vegetable in season this month,
see details/recipe here

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan