Heirloom

Versailles Flush

Cosmos bipinnatus

Photo: Macdon · Wikimedia Commons · (CC0)

Blooms are 2 1/2" across and the palest, blush pink. Strong, straight stems can withstand considerable handling. Produces under short days.

Harvest

90-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Versailles Flush in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Versailles Flush · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorPale blush pink

Size2 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 3–4 weeks from April through early June in zone 7, stopping before daytime highs consistently hit 90°F — germination drops off sharply above that threshold and the seedlings come in weak. A second wave direct-sown in mid-August will catch the cooler fall window and bloom from late September into first frost. Cosmos grown from indoor starts (February–March) have a head start but don't transplant as smoothly as direct-sown plants; if you go that route, disturb the roots as little as possible when setting out in April.

Complete Growing Guide

Blooms are 2 1/2" across and the palest, blush pink. Strong, straight stems can withstand considerable handling. Produces under short days. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Versailles Flush is 90 - 110 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Easy Choice, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Attracts Beneficial Insects.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Versailles Flush reaches harvest at 90 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

Store cut stems in a cool location with high humidity; refrigeration at 34-38°F extends vase life to 10-14 days. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from ethylene-producing fruits. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stems at an angle. Preservation methods: air-dry by hanging stems upside down in a cool, dark space for 2-3 weeks; glycerin treatment (submerge stems in water mixed with glycerin) preserves color while adding suppleness; freeze-dry or press petals between parchment paper for long-term preservation in scrapbooks or craft projects.

History & Origin

Versailles Flush is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico and southwest North America

Advantages

+Pale blush pink blooms are delicate and elegant for premium arrangements
+Strong straight stems require minimal support and handle shipping well
+Produces reliably under short days for consistent winter greenhouse crops
+90-110 day timeline allows multiple successions per growing season
+Easy difficulty makes it accessible for novice and commercial growers

Considerations

-2.5 inch bloom size is smaller than standard cosmos varieties
-Requires careful timing for short-day production to trigger flowering
-Pale color may appear washed out under certain lighting conditions
-Cosmos bipinnatus susceptible to powdery mildew in humid environments

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are the most practical neighbor here — their root secretions deter nematodes, and the two together make a dense enough visual barrier to confuse aphids and thrips moving through the bed. Sweet Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that keep caterpillar pressure down, and it stays low enough (4–6 inches) that it doesn't compete with cosmos for light. Nasturtiums can act as a trap crop for aphids, pulling them off the cosmos. Black Walnut is the one to avoid outright — juglone concentration in the soil directly under the canopy is high enough to stunt or kill most annuals, and Cosmos bipinnatus is not tolerant; keep at least 50 feet of distance from the drip line.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Lavender

Deters pests with fragrant oils and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for pest control

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling squash bugs

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs with natural compounds

Catnip

Repels mosquitoes, ants, and rodents more effectively than DEET

Zinnia

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides long-lasting color companion

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides natural support structure for climbing varieties

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete heavily for nutrients and water while releasing growth-inhibiting chemicals

Troubleshooting Versailles Flush

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Powdery white coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing midsummer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — common on Cosmos bipinnatus in humid conditions with poor airflow
Overcrowded planting that traps moisture around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut out and bin the worst-affected stems — don't compost them
2.Space plants at least 12–18 inches apart to get air moving between them
3.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) weekly as a stopgap

Tall, leggy stems that flop over by midsummer, no matter how much you stake them

Likely Causes

Soil too fertile — cosmos thrive on lean ground; excess nitrogen pushes height over structure
Too much shade (fewer than 4 hours of direct sun) causing etiolation

What to Do

1.Skip the fertilizer entirely — direct sow into unamended or minimally amended soil
2.Pinch the growing tip when plants reach 12 inches tall; this forces branching and keeps height closer to 2–3 feet
3.Move next year's planting to a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun

Flower buds forming but failing to open, or opening and dropping within a day or two

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (often Myzus persicae) feeding on tender bud tissue
Extreme heat — sustained daytime temps above 90°F can cause bud blast in Cosmos bipinnatus

What to Do

1.Check the undersides of buds and new growth for aphid clusters; knock them off with a strong water spray
2.If aphids persist, apply insecticidal soap directly to colonies — two or three applications, 4–5 days apart
3.For heat stress, there's not much to do mid-season; plan a late-summer direct sow for fall bloom when temps drop back below 85°F

Gray-brown rot at the base of stems, plants wilting and collapsing despite adequate soil moisture

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — thrives in cool, wet conditions, especially in dense plantings
Overwatering or poor drainage keeping the root zone saturated

What to Do

1.Pull and dispose of any collapsed plants immediately — Botrytis spreads fast to neighbors
2.Improve drainage by amending with coarse sand or perlite before next season's planting
3.Water at the base, not overhead, and water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do cut Versailles Flush flowers last?▼

Cut blooms typically last 10-14 days in a vase when kept in cool conditions (34-38°F) with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. Their strong, straight stems help them withstand handling and maintain an upright appearance throughout their vase life.

Is Versailles Flush a good choice for beginner flower growers?▼

Yes, Versailles Flush is rated as an easy-to-grow variety, making it ideal for beginners. It produces reliably under short days and requires only full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours). Its heirloom status and straightforward care needs make it accessible to most gardeners.

What color are Versailles Flush blooms?▼

Versailles Flush blooms are a pale, blush pink—one of the softest pink shades available. Each bloom measures approximately 2.5 inches across, creating an elegant, delicate appearance suitable for wedding arrangements and romantic bouquets.

When should I plant Versailles Flush flowers?▼

Plant Versailles Flush in early spring or late summer to take advantage of the short-day photoperiod that triggers optimal flowering. In most climates, aim to establish plants 90-110 days before your desired harvest date. Check local frost dates for best timing in your region.

Can you grow Versailles Flush in containers?▼

While specific container requirements aren't detailed for this variety, most flower crops thrive in well-draining containers at least 12 inches deep. Ensure consistent moisture and place containers in locations receiving 4-6+ hours of sunlight for best stem strength and bloom quality.

Why are the stems strong and straight on Versailles Flush?▼

Versailles Flush has been selected for strong, straight stems that withstand considerable handling, making it excellent for commercial and home floral arrangements. This genetic trait develops reliably when plants receive adequate light and proper spacing, ensuring reliable harvest quality.