Sonata Carmine

Family: Asteraceae Annual flowering plant

Planting Schedule

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Velvety petals unfurl in a rich carmine blaze, each bloom catching the light like a small, poised firework above finely laced foliage.

Sonata Carmine produces abundant, daisy-like flowers with a crisp, satiny texture and a graceful, upright stance—ideal for long-lasting bouquets and vivid color runs in the garden. Grow it for a steady parade of blooms that make every arrangement feel freshly composed from the first day to the last.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Sonata Carmine

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Sonata Carmine Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sonata Carmine is edible more for its crisp, satiny petal texture and a light floral sweetness than for anything heavy or savory—use it like a seasoning you can see. Go gentle with heat and keep it chilled so the petals don’t collapse into the dressing.

Best Uses

as a sparing garnish on citrusy salads and raw seafood
fold into chilled herb salads where the petals stay crisp
use as a colorful edge on composed plates (think shallow puddles of vinaigrette)
infuse briefly into simple syrup or a clear cocktail for a faint floral note

Flavor Profile

crisply petaled subtly sweet lightly floral dry, satiny mouthfeel

Kitchen Pairings

lemon basil champagne vinegar goat cheese grilled shrimp olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata Carmine’—what pest or disease is most common, and how do I control it?

A frequent problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on cosmos leaves in warm, humid weather. Improve airflow by thinning crowded plants and water at soil level to keep foliage dry, then remove heavily infected leaves. If it’s spreading, spray with a labeled potassium bicarbonate or sulfur product and reapply as directed on the label.

How often should I water Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata Carmine’ during active growth?

During the main growing phase (from when plants are established until mid-bloom), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, since cosmos tolerates brief drought but suffers if roots stay wet. Avoid frequent light sprinkling that keeps the foliage damp and increases mildew risk.

How can I tell when Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata Carmine’ is ready to harvest?

Cosmos flowers are ready for cutting about 60 days after sowing and when the flower heads are fully open with petals in their final color and a firm center. For best vase life, harvest early in the morning and cut stems just above a leaf node to encourage branching and more blooms. If you’re harvesting for seed, wait until the seed heads are dry and tan before collecting.