Ornamental Cotton

Gossypium herbaceum
A fast growing annual, reaching up to 6 x 6 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to subsaharan Africa. This is the real cotton plant of agriculture and yields can be up to 300 pounds per acre.
The 3 to 7 lobed, broadly-ovate leaves, up to 4 x 4 inches in size, are mid-green.
The white to yellow flowers appear during summer.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 as a perennial, an annual in colder climates. It requires full sun on just about any moist, fertile, well drained soil. Cotton prefers hot humid summers and a site protected from excessive wind. Rots and wilts can be a problem on poorly drained soils. Seeds should be planted 0.3" deep and germinate in 1 to 2 weeks.

* photo taken on Sep 5 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Albe Red' ( Pink Cotton )
The very attractive mid-green foliage is very heavily splashed deep red, pink and creamy-white.

* photo taken on Sep 3 2017 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 in Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Sep 10 2023 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash., DC

* photo taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Nigra' ( Black Cotton )
A very attractive form with blackish-purple foliage and pink flowers.

* photos taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photo taken on Sep 3 2017 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Wash, D.C.