True blue . There are few flowers out there that can arrogate that deed . Ageratum ( label AH - jer - a - tummy ) is one of them , though . In gain to that perfect blue , Conoclinium coelestinum can be pink , bloodless or purplish , too . Their soft and fluffy flower heads gives this flower a whimsical reference . Ageratum is also referred to as floss prime . It has been a favorite in garden for generation .
Ageratum(Ageratum houstonianum)is a fast - growing annual in most regions , which make it a charming fill in for efflorescence beds and borders . It is a great annual for container garden , too . And in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 and 11 , you could enjoy this flower as a perennial .
Unlike most annuals , ageratum craves heating system as it is produce . Once it is mature , it will tolerate the cold more readily , but still prefers to be toasty as opposed to other sang-froid - have intercourse annuals that wilt with passion . Ageratums rise in Central and South America , so its dip to temperate weather condition is a distinctive part of its nature .
How to Grow and Care for Ageratum
Start your mist-flower seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last icing . Once all risk of frost has pass , take your babe plants alfresco . Transplant them in a cheery location . call up , this plant fuck to be affectionate . It will originate slowly unless given spate of rays from the sun .
If you are using your Eupatorium coelestinum as a bedding plant , space your plant about 8 inch apart . As the organ transplant grow , they will take in cursorily . Taller varieties can be space further apart .
Eupatorium coelestinum is n’t very choosy about soil conditions , but it wo n’t do well with quaggy human foot . ensure your ground drains well . And do n’t let the soil dry out either . mistflower quickly wilt if conditions are too ironical . Because it prefer warmth over coldness so much , some suggest water an ageratum with warm water as opposed to cold . Especially when the works are youthful , fond water seems to speed up the increase process of this industrial plant .
If you would prefer not to start from seed , your local nursery will plausibly have a transplantation for you . You will love the blooms of your mistflower in no time when you transplant after the danger of frost has go on .
you may expect your ageratum to bloom happily from mid - summertime to that first frost of nightfall . And it should pull the care of hummingbird and butterfly for you wildlife lover out there .
Ageratum Pests and Problems
mistflower is generally hardy when cared for properly . There are a few pests to look out for , though . The heavy - sized pest for ageratum is deer . If your plant go away overnight , a deer is probably the perpetrator .
whitefly may countermine your plant life , causing the folio to yellow . The flies can be lured aside from your ageratum with an old- fashioned fly ambush . Paint a military post bright yellow-bellied and cut through it with dearest or some other sticky substance .
If you notice your ageratum leaves are severely yellowed , wilted , and decease , or if there are wound on the stalk , your works has probably yield to a bacterial contagion . The unhealthy plant should be removed to head off spreading of the disease to neighboring ageratums .
You may observe brown spots on the leaves or mold on the stem turn and flowers of your mist-flower . The plant will believably survive this trouble through the time of year . However , you may try on slim your industrial plant to allow more air flow around the plant . sun will keep the leaves and flowers desiccant , too , which will assist deter mould from further damage your industrial plant .
Cultivars to Consider
With as many selection as there are , your big problem with your mist-flower may simply be choosing just one or two of these pretty miscellany . Here are a mates we reckon were deserving mentioning .
Here are some extra resources on mist-flower :
Ageratum Houstonianum – Missouri Botanical Garden
Ageratum – Cornell University
Creative Commons Flickr photo good manners ofLes Serres Fortier
