"Ageratum"

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About Ageratum

Ageratum is also known as Flossflower and Mexican Ageratum. Pronounced a-jur-aa' tum or aju'reytum.

Ageratum flowers grow in fluffy, compact, terminal clusters usually on 6 to 12 inch (15-30cm) long stems. Many cultivars are available in various shades of blue,lavender, white, pink, red and bicolor.

Ageratum is native to Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the West Indies. The name Ageratum comes from the Greek words 'a-' meaning 'not' and 'geros' meaning 'old age', because the flowers do not appear old for a long time. The commonly cultivated species is the mexican Ageratum houstonianum (hu-sto-nee-aa' num). This was named after the botanist Dr. W. Houston who brought some plants back with him from Mexico.

Ageratum cut flowers are available from late summer to autumn. It is best to buy them when the flowers are starting to open.

What to Do When You Receive Your Ageratum Flowers

1. Unpack your flowers straightaway.

2. Use a clean vase. Fill it with clean lukewarm water and add a floral preservative solution, following the instructions provided.

3. Cut off any leaves in the bouquet that would be below the water level in the vase. Otherwise these will rot, pollute the water and shorten the life of your Ageratum Flowers. Also remove any damaged leaves or flowers, and any yellowing foliage.

4. Cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems , with the stems under water. Make the cut at an angle so that the flower stems do not rest flat on the bottom of the vase.

By doing this you help your Ageratum to maintain water uptake. Air bubbles and debris tends to collect in the bases of the stems and, if this is not removed, water flow in the stems is greatly restricted. The cut should be at an angle and not flat across. You do not want the flower stems resting flat on the bottom of the vase since this will also restrict water uptake.

5. Arrange your flowers in the vase so that they are attractively displayed.

6. Keep Ageratum in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Avoid draughts which will dehydrate the flowers. They do not like very hot or cold areas. In a hot place in the direct sun the flowers will soon die.

Care of Your Ageratum Flowers

1. Check the water level frequently and top up the vase with lukewarm water to avoid chilling the flowers.

2. Regularly remove damaged, or dying flowers and foliage. This helps the flowers last longer.

3. Every 3-4 days remove the flowers from the vase. And cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems under water and at an angle. This will maintain good water uptake and keep the flowers alive longer.

Flower Life

With good care your Ageratum flowers will last up to 10 days.

They can also make long lasting dried flowers.

Growing Ageratum Outside in the Garden

Ageratum will grow in any reasonable garden soil, but is best in moist, rich, well-drained soils in full sun. It will also grow in light shade. It prefers some light afternoon shade in places with hot summer climates (in zones 8-9). Avoid windy, exposed places. It likes the ground to be kept moist throughout the growing season. Plants tend to wilt quickly if the soil dries out. Plant 8 inches (20 cm) apart. Tall forms can be 12 inches (30 cm) apart.

The most common types have an attractive, compact, mounded habit of growth with neat powder-puff flowers and are very useful for low edging. The flowering stems reach from 6 to 30 inches (15 to 75 cm) in height depending on variety. Spread is some 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).

The flowering period lasts from June until October, or the first frost. Remove dead blossoms to prolong flowering and keep the plants well-watered in hot, dry weather. Taller varieties make good cut flowers, but usually need some support.

Keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies, and red spider mites. Powdery mildew may be a problem in hot and humid weather, where the soil is on the dry side and air circulation is poor. If this is likely to occur do not water overhead and grow in areas with more air movement. Root rot can occur if the drainage is bad.

Propagation

Ageratums can be easily grown from seed. Seed should be sown in a greenhouse or indoors in early spring. Do not cover the seed with soil as light is needed for germination. Seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days at 70 deg. F (21 deg. C). If growing indoors, the seedlings require good light and a temperature of 60 deg. F (16 deg. C). Grow on in pots or trays and transplant outdoors after threat of frost has passed.

Types of Ageratum

Ageratum houstonianum is the most common species. It stays a nice mounded shape and blooms continuously from late spring to frost.

Cultivars include 'Adriatic' (mid-blue , heat tolerant), 'Blue Blazer' (deep blue), 'Blue Bouquet' (blue, 18 inches high), 'Blue Horizon' (mid-blue flowers on vigorous 24-30 inch stems), 'Blue Mink' (powder blue), 'Fairy Pink' (rose), 'Fine Wine' (burgundy red), Hawaii Hybrids (blue, purple, or white flowers on compact plants), 'Neptune Blue' (mid-blue), 'North Sea' (lavender-blue), 'Pacific' (purple-violet), 'Pinky Improved' (an unusual dusky pink color), 'Royal Delft' (deep violet-blue), 'Southern Cross' (blue and white bicolor),'Summer Snow' (white), and Swing Hybrids (blue, rose,and pink).

Ageratum conyzoides is also called billygoat-weed, chick week, goatweed, and whiteweed. It is native to Central and South America, but has spread greatly and is now a world-wide weed, particularly in the Pacific islands. The leaves of Ageratum conyzoides are used medicinally to treat epilepsy and wounds. Ground Ageratum powder has also been used as an insect repellent.

Ageratum Eupatorium (the mistflower) is a perennial sometimes called hardy ageratum.

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