Circa 1930s 'Sensation Giant Early Flowering Strain' quickly replaced the standard fall-only bloomers with July flowering varieties, a vast improvement. 'Radiance' was acclaimed as the first bicolor early cosmos in 1950, showing off its large 4-5" deep rose blooms with a dark crimson center ring on long tall stems. Easy to grow, they shrug off heat, humidity, and dry weather once established—deadhead or cut for bouquets for continual flowering.