Chocolate cosmos—who had tried this variety with success?

[Patterncarmen]

I’m intrigued by this variety (Cosmos atrosanguineus) with the dark maroon flowers and apparently a chocolate smell. I would like to pair them with verbena bornariensis for a border. Who has had success growing them? Any tips?

Sorry but when I saw the title in trending I thought it was going to be a cocktail recipe! Slightly disappointed 😂

I tried, the normal cosmos was fine, but I was sorely disappointed with these, they were a bit dull.

It's not what you asked but Cosmos "cupcake" is lovely. Good germination rate but you'll definitely need to protect seedlings from slugs.
If you don't yet have verbena, check out your local B&Q from mid-April. I got some very good sized, well priced plants there last year.

I’m afraid I’ve found it underwhelming here (Scotland). Flowers are pretty but small, it’s quite straggly and it’s not very robust - I’ve never managed to nurse it through the winter. Might be more successful in the south of England?

I'm in the South and it was the same mrslaviniachandelier

hah! actually Chocolate cosmos would be a great name for a cocktail. Wonder what the recipe might be.

Cheers for the tips.

that’s useful to know. The plant is endemic in Mexico where it grows almost as a wildflower, and it might be too cold here in the East Midlands. I’m going to mix it with a cosmos double click cranberry variety, which is a more typical variety and see what happens.