Cosmos: Totally Out-Of-This-World Flower
Hello Weekly Whorlers! This week we Blast Off To The Cosmos and get to discover just what makes this perfect little flower so special. It is one of those few specimens that is perfectly balanced and can give anyone a sense of calm by just looking at it. Let's break away from the chaos of our everyday lives and look into the Cosmos for a little escape!
How We Got Here: The History Of Cosmos
Cosmos, a native of Mexico, thrives in warm, dry climates and was a staple in the Aztec culture. They saw beauty and deep meaning in these stunning flowers, as they did with many flowers that were native to their lands.
It wasn't until the 16th Century when Spanish Conquistadors first discovered it and brought its seeds back to Madrid, and it was the Spanish Mission Priests who gave the flower its famous name, marveling at its perfect symmetry of petals. The Greek word Kosmos actually means order, harmony, and the ordered universe.
The flower did not make its way to England until the late 18th Century, and even then most gardeners in the UK rarely saw the flower bloom before the first frost. Not until 1930, did the breakthrough come with the Cosmos Sensation series. This new variety was so revolutionary, with huge, colorful blossoms, that it earned awards and solidified its place in gardens worldwide!
Interesting Uses And Meanings
Cosmos, was widely used in Aztec culture. Its beauty was often found in pleasure gardens, and they also made medicinal teas and herbal remedies for ailments like malaria or respiratory infections. It has been found to hold high levels of flavonoids, rich in antioxidants.
Some varieties were often used as natural dyes, and other cultures often ate the edible petals in salads, or used the roots to sooth stomach aches.
The symmetrical, ordered look of the Cosmos has a deeply rooted meaning of harmony and balance. Native American cultures attribute peace and tranquility to the flower. When gifted, they often express admiration for a person's character, highlighting their harmonious influence on others.
Did You Know?
They can last for up to 10 days after being cut!
Cosmos are prolific self seeders
They thrive on neglect, and prefer poor, well draining soil.
There is a variety called Cosmos atrosanguineus, it is dark maroon and smells like Chocolate!
They come in pink, white, yellow, orange, red and maroon.
The petals of the pink and red varieties are temperature sensitive and can be darker in warmer weather.
It is the birth flower for October.
We hope you enjoyed getting out to the Cosmos. The next time you see one of these perfect blooms, make sure to take a close look at its harmonious order, and absorb the calm.