Of course if in doubt,a greenhouse is ideal or after all the foliage has died back for the year. ;)

The majority of Cosmos are not hardy and are grown as annuals, with the exception of your chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus). This one is a half hardy perennial with tuberous roots, and needs to be kept somewhere frost free over winter.

Have a look at some of the photos on here of members gardens, it may help you to get an idea of what you like to see.

Thank you,

Yes I will have a look at the members' garden photos - I haven't much of a clue at the moment.

Last night I read that the cosmos must be lifted out of the soil, dried and kept in a cool, dark place until spring.

Can the chocolate one be bought into the living room and grown as an indoor plant over winter or does it need to have a dormant period (as detailed above)?

I'm not certain, but I'd incline to the view that it should have a well deserved rest over winter! For one thing, it won't like conditions inside in the winter.

The best place for it is somewhere cool but frost free. It needs a rest, but actually still keeps ticking over in the winter, albeit very slowly.

Thank you all,

Sorry to be a pain but will the shed do (with two small roof windows) or does it need more light?

I have bought one of those little plastic greenhouses but I can't see it being a frost free place inside.

The shed would probably be OK for cold spells, but I would be inclined to stand the pot outside in a sheltered corner during milder weather

Thank you Windy and Andrew.

What a lot of stuff to learn. :-D