Peter Dowdall: Cosmos is in the pink for autumn

Cosmos is an annual plant and as many other annuals are finished or finishing, it's now at its best

Cosmos is an annual plant and as many other annuals are now finished or finishing, it is only now at its best, writes Peter Dowdall. File picture

Aren't cosmos great? Such cheerful and beautiful blooms in the September sunshine, so forgiving of, or even thankful for, all the rain and poor weather during the summer months.

As the crisp mornings and cooler evenings of autumn begin to creep in, the garden begins to slow down and flower colour begins to fade as we divert our gaze to the autumn foliage. However, one of the most vibrant and resilient stars of the late summer and autumn garden is the cosmos flower.