AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
‘ grim Mink ’ ( Ageratum houstonianum ) Photo by : Tiiien / Shutterstock
The semblance blue sky , a rarity in the gardening globe , is extremely coveted by avid gardeners . Ageratum is grow for its whimsical pompom - shaped blossom that happen mostly in shades of low-spirited , though color also admit white , pinkish , lavender , and blood-red . These pop bedding plants are most often purchased as baby’s room starts in tray pack or flats , but can also be grown from seed . With sizes ranging from a few inch eminent to three feet improbable , ageratum can be grown in containers , used as inch along footpath or moulding , or mass in displays .
Commonly known asfloss efflorescence , this fellow member of the Aster family unit includes 40 specie of annuals , perennials , and bush native to tropic and subtropical region of North and South America . Billygoat weed ( Conoclinium coelestinum conyzoides ) , which has herbal and medicinal qualities , is highly invasive , primarily in Africa , but can also be found acquire tempestuous in parts of the Southern US . The cosmetic multifariousness available to home gardeners are grown as annuals , and are attractive to butterfly , hummingbirds , and insect pollinators .
On this page : The Basics|Planting|Care|Choosing the Right Ageratum|Pictures|Landscaping Tips
THE BASICS
Zones:
ordinarily rise as an yearly ; perennial in Zones 10 - 11 .
Height/Spread:
4 to 36 inches magniloquent , 6 to 18 inches wide .
Exposure:
Full sun to partial tint . Ageratum plants will bloom intimately in full sun ; too much shade can ensue in less blooms and leggy plant . In hotter region , plants gain from good afternoon shade .
Bloom time:
From tardy spring to freeze .
Color and characteristics:
Also know as floss prime for its floss - like petal , the tiny blooms resemble fluffy pompoms . flower are produced in dense clusters in colour of gloomy , violet , red , blanched , or pink . Leaves are medium green and ellipse or lance - shaped . Plant substance abuse range from unretentive and densely compendious to just and loose .
Toxicity:
Ageratum can be toxic to grazing brute , causing liver lesions . All parts of the industrial plant are poisonous and may be harmful to ducky or humankind if take in . Call toxicant control or your local veterinary for advice if necessary .
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
try out a sun - bonk combo like this ‘ Across the Universe ’ container recipe that admit : Angelface ® Perfectly Pink angelonia , Artist ® aristocratic ageratum , and Diamond Delight ® euphorbia . Video by : Proven Winners .
When to plant:
Plant greenhouse pop out of doors from later springtime to other summer after all peril of hoar is retiring . Sow seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last average frost date . seed can be sow like a shot outdoors after your middling last frost date ; however , plants will not bloom until late summertime or fall . Ageratums are heat lover and will fail to thrive if it ’s too cold .
Where to plant:
In a bed or container with plentiful , well - drain soil that will stay evenly moist .
How to plant:
Press sow gently into the soil intermixture and do n’t cover , as ejaculate need light to germinate . Keep moist until folio emerge ( 5 to 14 days ) , and transplant alfresco after all danger of freeze is retiring . For greenhouse commencement , move out plant from the container and gently tease apart out the ascendent if potbound . excavate a hollow and place so the top of the ascendent ball is flat with the soil surface . Gently tamp down soil around the fundament and pee well . infinite grandiloquent varieties 12 inches apart , and shorter miscellanea 6 inches asunder .
AGERATUM CARE
Pruning and maintenance:
While most will ask deadheading to encourage new flowers , others like the Artist ® series will grow up over the spent blooms , get across them up , and may not need deadheading to look unspoilt . Cut back if plants start bet tired or are outgrowing the blank ; they should rebloom within a workweek or two .
Soil:
Plant in well - amended soil that drains well . Ageratum is not fussy about soil pH.
Amendments & fertilizer:
Ageratums are heavy feeders and benefit from even fertilizing . Mix agranular slow - discharge fertilizerinto the soil at the time of planting and reapply mid - season , or use awater - soluble fertilizertwice monthly according to software package instruction manual . Yellow leave may be a sign that plant are n’t receiving enough fertilizer . Mulch with organic stuff such as shredded leave-taking or compost to suppress weeds and conserve moisture . Keep mulch several inches off from the base of the plant to avoid crown or stem rot .
Watering:
Ageratums have shallow root , so they can quickly dry out out and wilt . Provide consistent pee at least weekly , or more as needed during lovesome spells . To prevent foliar disease , water in the break of day so plants can dry out , or irrigate around the base of the plants rather than overhead .
Diseases and pests:
When planted in the ideal site , ageratums are immune to most pests and diseases . Too much wraith , want of air circulation , or gamey humidity can cause fungous diseases such aspowdery mildew . Poor drainage or overwatering can ensue in root rot . Possible insect problem include spider mites , aphids , and whiteflies .
Deer resistance:
Deer will broadly leave mistflower alone , though extreme conditions can result in deer grazing on plant that they would n’t otherwise .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AGERATUM
With unlike forms to choose from , here are some tip to consider :
For beds and borders:
Taller varieties can be plant halfway in a border in combining with other annual and perennial . brusque type can be sit at the front of a bed or assorted border .
For edging:
Shorter varieties are suitable along pathways .
For containers:
Combine low grower with other annual with similar needs , such as petunias , flame nettle , or pelargonium .
For bouquets, flower arrangements, and cutting gardens:
Choose grandiloquent varieties with long bow for cutting .
AGERATUM VARIETIES
picture : Proven winner
Artist ® blue devil — Buy now from Proven WinnersAgeratumhybrid
10 - 11
slow compact drug abuse , 8 to 12 inch tall and 6 to 10 in all-inclusive
Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time:
belated outflow until frost
Color:
Blue - purple flowers , gullible foliage
The Artist ® series is exceptionally heat kind , bloom well in southern regions . Spent blossom are covered by come out new heyday , so no deadheading is demand . apply in containers or baskets as a filler flora in compounding with other warm - season annuals , or plant at the bound of a molding .
Photo by : InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock
‘ Blue Horizon’Ageratum houstonianum
Annual in Zones 2 - 11 , may winter in Zones 10 - 11
vertical receptive substance abuse , 24 - 30 inch tall and 15 - 18 column inch broad
Lavender - dispirited flowers , green foliage
One of the marvellous ageratums , the top and multi - branching habit makes this a darling of cut flower cultivator . Plant halfway in a motley border , in combination with other bungalow - style plants , or in a cut blossom bottom .
Photo by : Iva Villi / Shutterstock.com
‘ Hawaii Blue’Ageratum houstonianum
nanus compact habit , 6 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 10 inch wide
Late spring to ice
These are among the earliest to bloom , with long lasting flowers and exceptional heating system leeway . Other colors in the ‘ Hawaii ’ series admit ashen and pinkish . flora in a container in combination with other warm season annual , at the edge of a bed or tract , or massed as bedding plants .
Photo by : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
‘ Aloha White’Ageratum houstonianum
summary habit , 6 - 8 inches tall and wide
White prime , unripe foliage
‘ ciao ’ is one of the smallest varieties , with flower colour in blue and white . This former bloomer is good for edging paths and borders , mass as bedding plants , or in containers in combination with other yearbook .
Bumble ™ RoseAgeratum houstonianum
later outpouring to pass
Rose - discolour flowers , immature leafage
The ‘ Bumble ’ series amount in colour of light purple , blue and lift . This stocky grower is an other boo-boo and can be used as edging along pathways and borders , or as a filler plant in containers in combination with other warm - season yearly .
Photo by : Tiiien / Shutterstock
‘ Blue Mink’Ageratum houstonianum
Dense upright substance abuse , 12 inch tall and wide
Early summertime to fall
Powder blue blossom , greenish foliation
This old motley has place upright the test of time , with a vigorous arise habit and fecund bloom . Grow in containers in combination with other warm season annuals , at the front of a motley boundary line , or massed as a bedding plant .
LANDSCAPING TIPS
There are many way to incorporate ageratum into your landscape painting . Here ’s how :
