I have not grown them and can not answer any of your questions directly as you asked them. That said, it occurs to me that T&M might do their trials in England, with a shorter growing season, and Park's might do their trials in South Carolina with a longer growing season. This might address the issue in your third paragraph?

I bring this up because I always get ripe castor bean seeds, but some of the folks up north don't, presumably because of the shorter growing season.

I'm inquiring directly with the hort expert at T&M, so will report back on this one (in case any one else is interested).

That's a great idea. I'm very interested.

{{gwi:346334}} these lovely cosmos duble click from T&M

My cosmos ( burpee seed packs Sea Shells) normally are 4 to 5 feet but they get alot of fertilizer in the spring.

I purchased them from Target yesterday - it simply says Annual on them (and 1/2 the price of TM)

columbus- which? The regular DCs or the Rose Bonbons?

Here's the response I just received from Susan @ T&M:

Our head horticulturist sent the response below for you.
We have never had Rose Bon Bon reach 48in on our soil here and the breeder lists as a smaller selection at 24- 36in as well.

The flower size is very good at least 2-3in in diameter on strong stems that hold the flowers up well.

If grown on rich fertile soil plants will be taller.

Somewhat helpful, but I've gleaned all this in my browsing this & the soils forum over the last 2 days.

I'll still try them.

So when will you sow them mmqchdygg,
Carol

Well, since I usually have no issues whatsoever with Cosmos no matter when I sow them, or which variety, they'll go in as soon as I acquire them, I suppose. I think the latest I did them in previous years was early March, but had several other jugs done way before that.

I'm going to check the local T&M supplier locally to see if they got more of the T&Ms in (they only had the herbs the other day when I went). If they don't have them, I'll order online within the next couple weeks.

I gotta wait for my bale of dirt to thaw out that I bought yesterday- LOL!

I hear alot of you here talk about a "bale" of dirt,how does one buy dirt in a bale?And where would i find a "bale"
Carol

3.8 Cubic Foot "Bales" can be acquired at your local feed store. I get mine at Blue Seal. They'll run you ~$22 +/- and you can get about 117 milk jugs out of one.

They just call it 'grow mix' at my store, some have "Pro Mix" brand; just make sure you don't get Peat Moss.

The bales look like this, although the brand you find will likely differ:

{{gwi:346337}}

Thanks mmqchdygg,
Is this soil easy to wet?I have tryed using some soil in the past that had to sit for ever to get wet,it just floated.I did not like useing it at all,is this one better,well, i guess it must be,you are using it,lol
Carol

The tricks:

Get yourself a large tub/tote/etc...I use one of those BIG ones with the wheels on it so I can move it around when it's full.
Get yourself a 'kiddie shovel' one of the good metal spade ones. The flatness of the shovel & the long handle makes 'floaters' easy to break up.

Use warm water.

I also use an old thermos cup (with a handle) to scoop the moist soil out of the tub into my jugs. 3-4 quick scoops & filled fast!

Carol, When I was able to find Premier ProMix (different packaging) one of the ingredients listed was "wetting agent" I put the mix in a dishpan, added warm water and stirred. It was mixed through and absorbed in a matter of minutes. I kept two dishpans going this way and by the time I could empty one into the milk jugs and sow them, the next one was ready.

Wetting agent.

they are indeed double click rose bonbon - pink
sean conway 2.19 for 250 mg

Woo hoo! Thanks CG- I'm off to Target after work!

I am not sure who sean conway is but there are quite a few of "the seeds" of the year on this display - with more seeds and less $$ per package -

Well, I was disappointed to find that the Sean Conway DC Bonbons were labelled as 4' tall- bummer. I left them, and will opt to order from T&M's instead, hoping for a shorter variety. BUT, I did come away with Oktoberfest Calendula, Apricot Daisy Calendula (these look awesome!) Magellan White Zinna, Red Burst Aster (another one that looks fabulous that I haven't seen), Double Tangerine Gem Poppies (hey, that's different!), "Highlight" Zinnia (not sure what series these actually are from, but they are 12-18" and state this on the packaging:
The most electrifying color ever seen in a zinnia! Loads of semi-double, star-shaped 1 1/2" daisy blooms smother plants all season

I bought a couple of other 'standards,' too, that aren't worth mentioning really.
So I'm happy with what they had to offer.

I am glad you found some things - I didn't realize they came in a shorter variety. But I never really pay any attention to what they say - my garden is never what is written on the package!

My problem is where to put them as i just had beds dug and placed - so I need some soil that isn't very good to put them in.....