Standard cosmos can reach five feet by summer's end, but their long stems are much better for cutting than the dwarf varieties. Delicate petals shimmer in shades of pink, pure white, magenta and jewel-tone maroon. Plant solid colors or mix them up. Nothing consorts with a vaseful of summer colors like 'Victoria' salvia. Gentle blue spikes are not bold in an arrangement, but in its presence gold makes peace with pink, and red behaves better with everything else.
Stems are sturdy and prolific.
From tiny bulbs come nodding spikes of crimson, though only one or two per season. Still, Crocosmia earns space in a cutting garden because it requires so little. A small handful of bulbs is worth the price and trouble. Red is the most common flower color, but Crocosmia is also available in yellow. To extend the vase life of cut flowers, gather blossoms early in the morning when flowers are fresh and stems are turgid.