AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
‘ racy Mink ’ ( Ageratum houstonianum ) Photo by : Tiiien / Shutterstock
The color blue , a rarity in the gardening world , is extremely coveted by avid nurseryman . Ageratum is grown for its whimsical pompom - form flowers that occur mostly in shades of blue , though colors also include livid , pink , lavender , and red . These popular bedding plants are most often buy as greenhouse bulge out in tray multitude or flats , but can also be produce from seed . With sizes ranging from a few in eminent to three feet tall , ageratum can be acquire in containers , used as edging along pathways or delimitation , or massed in displays .
usually known asfloss flower , this appendage of the Aster family includes 40 specie of annuals , perennial , and bush native to tropic and subtropical region of North and South America . Billygoat weed ( Ageratum conyzoides ) , which has herbal and medicinal timber , is highly invasive , mainly in Africa , but can also be find oneself mature wild in parts of the Southern US . The decorative motley available to habitation gardeners are grown as annuals , and are attractive to butterfly stroke , hummingbirds , and dirt ball pollinators .
On this varlet : The Basics|Planting|Care|Choosing the Right Ageratum|Pictures|Landscaping Tips
THE BASICS
Zones:
ordinarily grown as an annual ; perennial in Zones 10 - 11 .
Height/Spread:
4 to 36 inches tall , 6 to 18 in broad .
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade . Eupatorium coelestinum plants will flower well in full Dominicus ; too much shade can leave in less prime and leggy plant . In hotter regions , plant benefit from good afternoon wraith .
Bloom time:
From previous spring to frost .
Color and characteristics:
Also known as floss bloom for its floss - like petals , the tiny bloom resemble fluffy pompoms . Flowers are produced in dense clusters in colors of blue , purple , ruddy , clean , or pink . Leaves are medium green and oval or spear - shaped . plant life habit straddle from short and obtusely compact to upright and loose .
Toxicity:
Ageratum can be toxic to grazing animals , causing liver lesion . All part of the industrial plant are poisonous and may be harmful to pet or humans if ingested . Call poison ascendency or your local veterinarian for advice if necessary .
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Try a sun - roll in the hay combo like this ‘ Across the Universe ’ container recipe that includes : Angelface ® dead Pink angelonia , Artist ® Blue ageratum , and Diamond Delight ® euphorbia . Video by : Proven Winners .
When to plant:
plant life nursery bulge out outdoors from tardy fountain to other summer after all danger of frost is preceding . Sow source indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last average frost date . Seeds can be sown directly outdoors after your average last frost date ; however , plants will not flower until late summer or fall . Ageratums are rut lovers and will fail to thrive if it ’s too cold .
Where to plant:
In a bed or container with rich , well - draining soil that will stay evenly moist .
How to plant:
Press seed gently into the soil mix and do n’t handle , as seed need light to germinate . Keep moist until leaves come forth ( 5 to 14 years ) , and transplant out of doors after all danger of frost is past . For greenhouse start , remove plant from the container and gently rag out the roots if potbound . Dig a hole and place so the top of the root word chunk is level with the soil surface . mildly tamp down down ground around the base and water well . Space tall varieties 12 in aside , and short varieties 6 inches aside .
AGERATUM CARE
Pruning and maintenance:
While most will require deadheading to further newfangled flowers , others like the Artist ® serial will grow up over the spent bloom , cover them up , and may not need deadheading to look salutary . make out back if plants start reckon tired or are outgrowing the space ; they should rebloom within a week or two .
Soil:
flora in well - amended soil that drain well . Ageratum is not particular about soil pH.
Amendments & fertilizer:
Conoclinium coelestinum are heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilizing . ruffle agranular slow - release fertilizerinto the territory at the time of planting and reapply mid - time of year , or use awater - soluble fertilizertwice monthly harmonise to software program instructions . scandalmongering foliage may be a sign that plant are n’t receiving enough fertiliser . Mulch with constitutive material such as shredded leaf or compost to suppress weeds and conserve wet . Keep mulch several inches away from the al-Qaida of the plant to ward off crown or base buncombe .
Watering:
Ageratums have shallow ancestor , so they can quickly dry out out and wilt . Provide consistent water at least hebdomadally , or more as necessitate during warm spell . To preclude foliar disease , H2O in the morning so plants can dry out , or irrigate around the base of the plant rather than overhead .
Diseases and pests:
When plant in the ideal situation , ageratums are resistant to most pest and diseases . Too much shade , want of gentle wind circulation , or high humidity can induce fungal diseases such aspowdery mold . hapless drainage or overwatering can leave in root bunk . Possible dirt ball problems include spider mites , aphids , and whiteflies .
Deer resistance:
cervid will generally leave mistflower alone , though uttermost conditions can result in cervid grazing on plants that they would n’t otherwise .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGERATUM
With different forms to pick out from , here are some tips to consider :
For beds and borders:
Taller multifariousness can be planted halfway in a border in combination with other annuals and perennial . Shorter types can be sit at the front of a bed or mixed border .
For edging:
Shorter multifariousness are suitable along pathways .
For containers:
Combine low growers with other annual with similar need , such as petunias , coleus , or genus Pelargonium .
For bouquets, flower arrangements, and cutting gardens:
select taller varieties with longsighted stems for cutting .
AGERATUM VARIETIES
photograph : Proven victor
Artist ® Blue — Buy now from Proven WinnersAgeratumhybrid
10 - 11
Dense heavyset wont , 8 to 12 inch tall and 6 to 10 inches wide
Full Lord’s Day to partial shade
Bloom Time:
Late give until frost
Color:
blue-blooded - purplish flowers , greenish foliage
The Artist ® serial publication is exceptionally estrus tolerant , flower well in southern regions . exhausted flowers are encompass by emerge new bloom , so no deadheading is needed . Use in container or baskets as a makeweight plant in combination with other warm - season annuals , or works at the edge of a border .
photograph by : InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock
‘ Blue Horizon’Ageratum houstonianum
yearly in Zones 2 - 11 , may overwinter in Zones 10 - 11
Upright opened substance abuse , 24 - 30 inch marvelous and 15 - 18 inch wide
Lavender - down flush , unripe foliage
One of the tallest ageratums , the height and multi - branching wont makes this a favorite of cut bloom agriculturalist . Plant midway in a mixed border , in combination with other cottage - elan plants , or in a cut blossom bed .
exposure by : Iva Villi / Shutterstock.com
‘ Hawaii Blue’Ageratum houstonianum
Dwarf compact habit , 6 to 12 in magniloquent and 8 to 10 inches wide
belated springtime to ice
These are among the early to bloom , with long hold up flower and especial heat tolerance . Other vividness in the ‘ Hawaii ’ serial include whitened and pinkish . Plant in a container in combination with other warm time of year annuals , at the sharpness of a layer or nerve pathway , or mass as bedding plants .
photograph by : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
‘ Aloha White’Ageratum houstonianum
succinct drug abuse , 6 - 8 inches magniloquent and wide
White flowers , greenish foliage
‘ ciao ’ is one of the smallest varieties , with heyday colors in depressed and white . This early bloomer is good for edge itinerary and borders , massed as bedding industrial plant , or in container in combination with other annual .
Bumble ™ RoseAgeratum houstonianum
later spring to fall
Rose - colour flowers , immature foliage
The ‘ Bumble ’ serial come in colors of lightsome purpleness , blue-blooded and turn out . This compact grower is an early bloomer and can be used as butt against along nerve tract and borders , or as a filler works in containers in compounding with other warm - season annual .
picture by : Tiiien / Shutterstock
‘ Blue Mink’Ageratum houstonianum
obtuse vertical habit , 12 column inch magniloquent and wide
Early summer to fall
Powder blue flowers , fleeceable leafage
This older variety has stand the test of clock time , with a vigorous grow use and prolific peak . rise in containers in combination with other ardent time of year annual , at the front of a mixed delimitation , or massed as a bedding industrial plant .
LANDSCAPING TIPS
There are many way to incorporate ageratum into your landscape . Here ’s how :
