Ageratum Houston Tetra Blument Outdoor Landing

Ageratum has earned popularity among flower growers due to its unpretentiousness in cultivation and care. Planting this flower outdoors will quickly color your garden with the vibrant colors of the fluffy buds.

Varieties of ageratum

In its homeland (in the tropics of Central America) ageratum grows as a perennial plant. The name of this flower in translation means "ageless", which is fully justified by its never-ending flowering.

Ageratum will delight you with long flowering

Ageratum is a herbaceous bushy plant. In our climate, it is grown as an annual flower. Sprawling bush with a lot of shoots. The root system is well developed. Stems are erect. The height of the bushes varies from 10 to 60 cm. The leaves are round or triangular with slightly pronounced serrations. The flowers are blue, purple, white or pink in color. The flowers are small, fluffy, collected in small dense inflorescences. At the same time, ageratum produces many peduncles.

The genus ageratum has more than 60 species. In floriculture, the most common Houston Ageratum or, as it is also called, Mexican. The variety series of this type of ageratum is widely represented in our market. Each variety is unique and differs in bush height, flower color and flowering duration.

Ageratum Houston

The most popular varieties of the Mexican Ageratum:

• Alba;
• Tetra Veali;
• Blue Perfection;
• "Ocean";
• North Sea.

In the photo, you can see the characteristic features of many popular varieties of ageratum and choose your own, most sunk into the soul of the variety.

Ageratum coniziform

It is worth highlighting another type of ageratum - coniziform... It differs from the Mexican in smaller flowers and blunt foliage.

Reproduction of ageratum

The most common way of reproduction of ageratum is by seeds.

Growing seedlings of one-year ageratum at home will not cause difficulties. At the end of March, the seeds are sown in prepared boxes. The soil is suitable for this light, moderately nutritious. For example, a sand-peat mixture with the addition of humus in equal proportions.

Important! Ageratum seeds are very small, practically dusty. Therefore, they are not buried in the ground, but evenly distributed over the surface.

The seed boxes are covered with polyethylene and put away in a warm place for germination. After 7-10 days, the first shoots will appear, and the boxes can be put on the window. Ageratum does not tolerate excess air humidity, so you should not spray it. Watering is carried out only as the soil dries up, in moderation.

Ageratum seeds

A few weeks after the emergence of seedlings, the first true leaves will develop on the seedlings, and during this period the seedlings dive for the first time. The second pick is carried out when the young seedlings grow up a little. This time, each plant is dived into a separate container, since the further development of the seedling will be rapid.

Two weeks after the dive, it is advisable to feed the seedlings with complex mineral fertilizer.

As warm weather sets in, the seedlings are hardened by taking them out into the fresh air. Gradually the time of the “walk” is increased.

Ageratum sprouts

In the case when it is required to preserve all the qualities of a rare variety of the mother bush, propagation by cuttings is possible. To do this, in the fall, the bush is sent to overwinter in a cool place, and in early spring shoots are cut off from it for cuttings. Cuttings germinate in a warm room in boxes of sand. In just a few weeks, the root system begins to develop, and after it shoots are formed.

Planting ageratum and further care

Ageratum seedlings are planted in open ground in late spring, preferably at the end of May. The plant is tolerant of any soil, only in exceptional cases liming of too acidic soil may be necessary.

The place for the landing of the ageratum must be chosen light, from the southern or eastern side of the site.

Advice. Even a little shading will stretch the plant. In this case, abundant flowering cannot be achieved.

Ageratum seedlings are planted at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other. You should not bury it in the ground. Planting depth in open ground should correspond to the growth rate of seedlings in pots.

Ageratum loves sunny and warm places

Three times a season, ageratum needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers. Feeding with manure and other organic fertilizers should be avoided.

Watering ageratum requires moderate, without overabundance. To keep the soil breathable, loosening of the soil is required after watering and rain. As needed, the site with ageratum is weeded, removing weeds that inhibit the development of the bushes.

To make the ageratum bloom abundant and long-lasting, wilted inflorescences are cut from the bushes all summer. If this procedure is carried out regularly, the ageratum will release more and more new buds, delighting with continuous flowering.

It can be concluded that planting and caring for ageratum in the open field is extremely simple due to the unpretentiousness of the plant.

Ageratum diseases and pests

Despite its unpretentious cultivation, ageratum is susceptible to many diseases. From an excess of moisture and without air access to the roots, ageratum is affected by root rot. In this case, the plant cannot be saved and it is removed.

Ageratum bacterial wilting

Bacterial wilting disappears for no apparent reason in the initial stage of leaf chlorosis disease. Ageratum is also affected by the cucumber mosaic virus (yellow spots appear on the leaves, the stem becomes glassy, ​​the buds fade without blooming). At the first symptoms of disease, the affected areas of the plant must be removed, and the remaining shoots must be repeatedly treated with insecticidal preparations or infusion of plants with the same properties (wormwood, bird cherry, tansy, etc.).

Of the pests for ageratum, all types of nematodes, spider mites, whiteflies are dangerous. Pest control is carried out using special means until they are completely destroyed.

Ageratum as an element of landscape design

In landscape design, the ageratum looks very good as a background for flower beds, flower beds and works with perennial flowers. Low-growing varieties of ageratum are used to form decorative borders, and tall ones are grown for cutting.

Ageratum in landscape design

The combination of ageratum with calendula, zinnia, marigolds and other yellow-orange flowers will give a bright color to the flower bed. Ageratum is grown for landscaping balconies and is suitable for growing in flowerpots. Vases with a joint planting of ageratum and petunias will decorate the gazebos or the threshold of the house.

From the photo, the fluffy flowers of the agegatum look at us as something exotic, but in fact it is very easy to grow this culture that does not get tired of blooming. To do this, you need to follow only some simple rules, which are described above.

Flowering ageratum: video

Types of ageratum: photo

Ageratum is grown for fluffy flowers that look like pompons. They are collected in dense inflorescences-baskets and exude a pleasant aroma. Ageratum care is simple, but you need to know some features.

The name of the plant in translation from Greek means "ageless". Ageratum really retains freshness for a very long time in the cut, and in the flower bed it pleases the eye with its lush inflorescences from June to late autumn. Therefore, the people often call this flower a long-flowered one.

The average height of ageratum bushes is from 15 to 25 cm. Low-growing specimens do not exceed 10 cm, and tall varieties grow up to 60 cm.In nature, there are about 60 species of ageratum, but there are not so many color options for flowers: it can be white, blue, blue, purple, lilac and pink. And not so long ago, a variety of yellow ageratum appeared.

Sowing ageratum seeds for seedlings

In the middle lane, ageratum is grown as an annual and only by seedlings, since it cannot stand the cold. Seeds are sown in the second half of March - early April in a container with a mixture of equal parts of humus, sand and peat. The seeds are lightly sprinkled with the same soil, covered with glass or polyethylene and kept at a temperature of 15-20 ° C in the light. The crops are aired daily and when the soil dries up, they are sprayed with a spray bottle. After the emergence of seedlings, the film or glass is removed, and the soil continues to be regularly moistened.

After the formation of 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings are seated in a more spacious container or immediately in separate pots. For seedlings to develop correctly, the air around the seedlings must be dry and the soil slightly damp all the time. It is also important that daylight falls on the seedlings, otherwise they will stretch out.

Planting ageratum in open ground

Seedlings are planted in a flower bed in late May - early June, when the threat of night frosts has passed. For ageratum, choose a sunny and wind-protected area with nutritious, light, non-acidic and drained soil.

The soil is carefully loosened, holes are dug at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other and seedlings are planted in them to the same depth at which they were in the containers.

After that, the plants are watered and regularly looked after until autumn.

Shortly before the onset of the first frost, the best specimens can be transplanted into flower pots and placed on the balcony, veranda or in the house. Then these delicate flowers will decorate your interior in late autumn, sometimes at the beginning of the dep. And in March, you can cut cuttings from ageratum bushes, root them and plant them in open ground in May. Then you don't have to mess with seeds.

Rules for growing ageratum in the open field

The plant is undemanding to soil, but prefers light, neutral and moderately nutritious soil. Ageratum grows green mass in the “overfed” substrate to the detriment of beautiful flowers. He loves regular and abundant watering, but at the same time he is able to tolerate short-term drought. However, the plant cannot be flooded: root rot may develop.

Ageratum loves light and warmth, therefore it quickly fades with the arrival of the first autumn frosts. Bushes perfectly tolerate a haircut. Therefore, if the plant is frozen over, for example, in late spring, it is pruned, leaving 2-3 internodes on each shoot.

The main summer care for ageratum in the open field is the timely removal of wilted inflorescences, regular weeding and loosening of the soil. During flowering, it is useful to feed the plants with complex mineral fertilizer or mullein infusion every 2-3 weeks. But fresh manure cannot be used.

Ageratum in landscape design

This delicate flower looks good in any plantings: ridges, borders, rock gardens, in the foreground of a mixborder. Compact varieties of ageratum can be used as container plants: in outdoor flowerpots, balcony boxes.

Ageratum goes well with marigolds, calendula, zinnia, cineraria, antirrinum, verbena, rudbeckia, helenium.A monoclumba can also be created from the ageratum, but it is better to plant varieties with different shades of flowers. All possible tones of long-flowered inflorescences are perfectly combined with each other. But keep in mind: pink flowers can fade over time.

Since the ageratum retains its fresh appearance for a long time in the cut, beautiful bouquets are obtained from tall varieties of plants. For example, blue ageratum looks good with rudbeckia, zinnia, snapdragon and calendula. It is also suitable for creating winter bouquets.

The most popular types and varieties of ageratum

In landscape design, the most common Houston Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), or Mexican (Ageratum mexicanum). Below we list the best varieties of this species.

White ball

This is a compact plant (about 20 cm high) with neat fluffy inflorescences (1.5-1.7 cm in diameter) of a snow-white color.

Leda

This blue and white ageratum leaves no one indifferent thanks to its iridescent inflorescences. The flowers cover the compact bushes so abundantly that the leaves are almost invisible.

Blue mink

The bush grows to a height of 20-25 cm, during the summer the plant is decorated with bright dark blue flowers, collected in dense inflorescences with a diameter of 5-7 cm.

Aloha Blue

Low-growing ageratum up to 15 cm high. On numerous stems there are small flowers collected in corymbose inflorescences.

Fire Pink

This fiery pink ageratum is distinguished by loose inflorescences (4-5 cm in diameter) and small leaves. The height of the bush is 20-30 cm.

A large number of ageratum hybrids are currently on the market. For example: Adriatic F1 (15 cm tall, with blue-blue inflorescences), Atlantic F1 and North Sea F1 (purple-blue flowers), Ocean F1 (20 cm tall, light blue flowers). In addition to monochromatic ageratums, you can also find mixtures on sale (for example, Hawaii Mixt), sowing which, you will grow flowers of pink, white, purple and blue color. Ideal for those who love colorful flower beds!

Do you live this attractive annual in your flower garden? And what varieties do you prefer?

Ageratum (Ageratum) is a representative of the aster family. In nature, such a plant can be found in Central and North America, Eastern India. The name of such a flower is derived from the Latin word ageratos, which translates as "ageless". The fact is that cut adorable flowers can remain fresh for quite a long time. Since the 19th century, such a plant has become popular in European countries, and in Russia it is also called "long-flowered". This plant fell in love with gardeners for its spectacular fluffy flowers that look similar to pompons, which are part of very dense inflorescences. They are usually colored in various shades of blue. Also, such a flower is very undemanding to care for. There are approximately 60 types of ageratum.

Features of ageratum

On a fairly compact bush there are bright green petiolate leaf plates in the shape of an oval, triangle or rhombus. Their edge is serrated. Leaves in the upper part are alternate, and in the lower and middle - opposite. There are many erect shoots, on the surface of which there is pubescence. Their height varies from 10 to 60 centimeters. Small bisexual fragrant flowers are part of not very large (diameter 1–1.5 cm) inflorescences shaped like baskets. And they are collected in complex corymbose inflorescences. They can be colored purple, pink, blue or white. The fruit is a 5-sided achene of wedge-shaped elongated shape. 7 thousand seeds weigh only 1 g. Their good germination is maintained for 3-4 years.

In middle latitudes, ageratum is grown as an annual, because it is not frost-resistant. Such a plant will be able to decorate a rabatka, a flower bed, and will also look great in carpet compositions.Such a flower can be planted together with marigolds, calendula, snapdragons, which are also annual plants.

Features of growing ageratum from seeds

Sowing

Most often, such a plant is grown from seeds. Sowing is carried out from mid to late March. In this case, the boxes must be filled with a mixture that includes sand, humus and peat (1: 1: 1). Sprinkle the seeds with a thin layer of soil. The container is broken up with glass or film and removed into heat (at least 15 degrees). Crops need daily ventilation. The soil should be slightly moistened all the time. Therefore, it must be systematically moistened from a spray bottle. The first shoots will appear in about 14 days, after which the shelter should be removed.

Seedling

When the seedlings have a couple of real leaves, they need to be planted more spaciously. The pick is carried out 2 times. During the 2nd pick, the plant is planted in separate pots (cups). Ageratums need dry air and a constantly humidified substrate. Plants can only be watered in the morning. A couple of weeks before planting, the plant should be transferred to the street. If there is a threat of freezing, then the seedlings must be covered.

Landing

Landing in open ground should be done after the threat of night frost has passed. The selected area of ​​soil should not be exposed to drafts. The place must be sunny, because with a lack of light, the plants stretch out and bloom very poorly. A non-acidic, light, well-drained soil rich in nutrients is best. However, this plant is not too demanding on the soil. In carefully loosened soil, you need to make not too deep pits, the distance between them is from 10 to 15 cm. You need to plant seedlings to the depth at which they grew in the container. Flowering begins after about 8 weeks.

Outdoor Ageratum Care

In order for the ageratum to please you with its unusually beautiful flowers, it needs to be properly cared for. So, this plant needs to be watered in a timely manner, remove weeds, loosen the soil, and also apply fertilizers to the soil. It needs a fairly abundant watering, but at the same time it is impossible to fill the flower in any case. After the plant is watered, it is necessary to loosen the soil and at the same time pull out all the weeds.

Top dressing is carried out with a frequency of 1 time in 2 or 3 weeks. Mineral or humic fertilizers are perfect for this. It is also recommended for feeding an infusion prepared on a mullein. But it should be borne in mind that fresh manure cannot be used for feeding ageratum, because the plant reacts to it extremely negatively. Also, you should not overfeed the flower, because in this case the green mass will grow vigorously, but the flowering will become scarce. Do not forget to pick off fading inflorescences in a timely manner. This plant needs pruning for abundant and spectacular flowering. So, only a few internodes should remain on the shoot. After the pruning procedure, the plant begins to grow actively and bloom more abundantly.

What to do when the ageratum fades?

Before the first frosts begin, it is recommended to dig up the most lush bushes and plant them in separate flower pots. Plants can be placed in the house, on the veranda or on the balcony. Ageratums will bloom for the entire autumn period, and maybe even part of the winter. From these bushes in early spring, you can cut off cuttings and root them. Then, with the onset of heat, they are transplanted into open ground.

Such a plant is very fond of warmth, therefore, it is not capable of overwintering even under cover, provided that the winter is mild. In this regard, in the fall, it is necessary to remove the remains of plants from the flower bed, and in the spring to plant new flowers there.

Pests and diseases

Ageratums are not resistant to diseases, which is considered their main drawback.Often rot appears on the root system of such a plant. If this happens, then it will no longer be possible to save the infected bushes. However, it should be borne in mind that the appearance of root rot can be prevented, and some fairly simple preventive measures will help you with this. So, the first step for planting is to choose a light, well-drained soil. Water the plant carefully, avoiding overflow. You also need to systematically loosen the soil. All this will help to avoid the appearance of rot on the roots. Ageratum is also prone to cucumber mosaic, as well as bacterial wilting, and such diseases develop due to violation of the rules of care.

Seedlings of ageratums, located in the house or in the greenhouse, must be protected from such pests as whiteflies and spider mites. If insects are found, the infected leaves must be torn off and treated with an insecticidal agent.

In the open field, nematodes and scoops can settle on this plant. Getting rid of such pests is not so easy, it is much easier to prevent their appearance. To do this, it is enough to provide the ageratum with proper care. Remember that only with prolonged violation of the rules for caring for such flowers, they become susceptible to various diseases and pests.

The main types and varieties with photo examples

Since it is not very difficult to grow such a plant, and there is nothing difficult at all in caring for it, it has gained quite a lot of popularity among flower growers. Below are the most popular varieties and types of ageratum.

White Ageratum

The height of the bush reaches 20 centimeters, erect shoots. Fragrant flowers are painted white.

Ageratum blue "Blue mink"

Compact, strong and well-branched bushes reach a height of 20 to 25 centimeters. Very fluffy inflorescences are painted in a bluish color shade and outwardly they are similar to mink fur, since the bush is completely covered with them. The inflorescences have a diameter of 5 to 8 centimeters.

Ageratum Houston, or Ageratum Mexican

Small bushes have the shape of a ball. Their height varies from 15 to 60 centimeters (depending on the variety). Fluffy flowers are collected in baskets, which are part of inflorescences with a diameter of 3-8 centimeters.

Varieties

1. «Alba"- white flowers are collected in dense inflorescences.

   Alba

2. «Azur Pearl"- blue flowers are collected in fairly large inflorescences.

   Azur Pearl

3. «Faye Pink"- dark pink loose inflorescences have a diameter of 4 to 5 centimeters. The leaf plates are rather small. The height of the bush varies from 20 to 30 centimeters.

   Faye Pink

4. «Blue Mink"- bluish flowers have a lilac tint. The leaves are large enough, and the height of the bush reaches 25 to 30 centimeters.

   Blue Mink

5. «Blue Bouquet"- the flowers are painted in a beautiful blue color. This variety has the greatest height - 45 centimeters.

   Blue Bouquet

6. «Bavaria"- rather large loose inflorescences consist of two-colored flowers. So, their middle is pale blue (almost white), and around there are thin petals of a deep blue color. The bush is 25-30 centimeters high.

   Bavaria

7. Hybrid plants of the Hawaii cultivar group: "Royal Hawaii" - the height of dwarf plants does not exceed 15 centimeters, the flowers are violet-purple; "White Hawaii" - dwarf bushes do not exceed 18 centimeters in height, white flowers. Royal Hawaii

   White Hawaii

Among annuals, plants with bright blue flowers can be counted on one hand. One of the few is the hero of this article - Ageratum. Recently, he turned from a beggar into a prince, he was noticed, loved and actively planted in flower beds. The breeders also did not stand aside, they began to develop new varieties, and their successes were rewarded according to their merits. But first things first.

Own name Ageratum (Ageratum) received from the Greek ageratos - ageless, for its ability to retain the color of flowers for a long time, and for its long flowering in Russia it is called long-flowered.

Ageratum Gauston, or Ageratum Mexican, or Long-flowered (Ageratum houstonianum)

Ageratum is a genus from the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family, including about 60 species from Central America. All of them are annual and perennial herbaceous plants or dwarf shrubs. One type is widespread in culture - Ageratum Gauston, or Ageratum Mexican, or Long-flowered (Ageratum houstonianum) from Mexico and Peru, which has been known since 1733. It is a perennial herbaceous or semi-shrub plant grown as an annual.

In Russian-language literary sources and on the Internet, there are various translation options for the specific epithet houstonianum - Houston, Houston, Houston, Gauston.

The specific name of Ageratum Gauston is given in honor of Samuel Houston (1793-1863), one of America's most controversial heroes. His biography is full of ups and downs. Having won the first elections to the US Congress, due to his addiction to women and alcohol, he loses the elections for a second term. Divorces his wife and marries a Cherokee woman. During the war with Mexico, he wins the decisive battle in San Jacinto with the rank of general and thereby contributes to the annexation of Texas to the United States of America. For this victory, he becomes the first governor of the state of Texas. Compatriots respected him so much that they named in his honor not only the plant, but the whole city - Houston.

Ageratum Gauston, or Ageratum Mexican, or Longflower

Botanical description of Gauston's ageratum

The root system of Ageratum Gauston is highly ramified. In places of contact with the soil, many adventitious roots are formed on the main shoot and lateral branches. Stems are numerous, highly branched, erect, pubescent, 10-60 cm high. Leaves are triangular, rhombic or oval, dentate along the edge, serrate or crenate, rough. Lower leaves of ageratum Gauston opposite, petiolate; the higher the stem, the shorter the petioles; the upper leaves are almost sessile and alternate. The flowers are small, narrow-tube, bisexual, fragrant; small baskets are also collected, resembling a “puff” of a powder box, which in turn form complex corymbose inflorescences. The main decorativeness to the inflorescences of the ageratum of Gauston is given by the bilobed stigmas, which are almost twice the length of the perianth and are strongly protruding above it. The perianth and stigmas are colored the same.

The ovary of the ageratum Gauston is inferior. The fruit is an elongated wedge-shaped achene, pentahedral, with sharply protruding ribs, sometimes slightly curved, 2-3 mm long and up to 0.6 mm wide. At the upper end of the achene there is a white filmy crest. The surface of the achenes is very finely longitudinally wrinkled. Coloring - black-brown. There are 6-7 thousand seeds in 1 gram. Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years.

Seed reproduction of ageratum Gauston, even with the most careful selection, does not give homogeneous offspring. Varietal purity for most varieties does not exceed 80%.

Ageratum Gauston seeds set well. In central Russia, seeds ripen mainly on the main shoot and first-order shoots. In the case of a rainy autumn, some of the inflorescences rot. In the southern regions, the seed yield is much higher.

There are studies that some types of ageratums, in particular Ageratum Gauston, are dangerous to animals, as they have carcinogenic properties and cause liver disease.

Ageratum varieties

Ageratum has numerous varieties that differ in flowering time, flower color, height, and leaf shape. The most common are:

• Ageratum Blue Mink (Blue Mink), compact cultivar, 20-25 cm tall. Inflorescences are large lilac-blue, seem so silky that the variety in translation sounds like "blue mink" - a valuable fur animal.
• Ageratum Blue Danube (Blue Danube), compact hybrid, 15-20 cm tall, one of the best varieties with lavender-blue flowers.
• Summer Snow (Summer Snow), a compact hybrid, 15-20 cm tall, white baskets, in dense corymbose inflorescences, blooms profusely.
• Ageratum Ash Fields (Purple Fields), compact hybrid, 20-25 cm tall, unusual purple baskets. "Bushes" spread on the ground up to 30 cm. Therefore, the variety is called "purple fields". Received the Fleroselect Quality Award Winner in 2000.
• Ageratum Red Si (Red Sea) "Red Sea". The variety is tall with dark red buds and purple-red flowers.

In addition to single-color varieties of ageratums, there are mixtures on sale, for example Hawaii Mixed (Hawaii Mixed). The mixture includes compact varieties 10-15 cm tall with pink, blue, white and purple colors. Two varieties from this blend have received the Fleroselect Quality Award Winner. These are varieties Silk Pink Hawaii (Shell Pink Hawaii) in 2000 and Hawaii Skye Blue (Hawaii Sky Blue) in 2003.

After the rains that have frequently visited our country lately, only plants with blue and blue flowers retain their decorative effect. While white ageratums turn to dirty gray. And what color the pinks acquire is even difficult to describe.

Growing ageratum

To obtain healthy seedlings, seeds are sown in late March - early April. Ageratum seedlings appear in two weeks, and after another week they can be cut into separate pots. Seedlings do not tolerate moisture. They are planted in open ground after the end of spring frosts, the distance between plants is maintained during planting 15-20 cm. Plants bloom 60-70 days after germination.

Ageratum is a cross-pollinated plant, but self-pollination is also possible. Pollinated by flies, bees and thrips.

If it is not possible to grow ageratum seedlings on the window, you can sow seeds in the spring directly into the ground. As practice has shown, once, due to a lack of time, faded plants were left in the flower garden in the fall, and in the spring sprouts from fallen seeds appeared in this place. But they bloomed very late, at the end of July.

Ageratum gives adventitious roots very well. Shoots lying on the ground take root easily. Therefore, even having one plant, you can get several seedlings by cutting the mother plant, and all the resulting plants will remain stunted and uniform.

Since ageratum is a perennial by nature, it can be stored in a cool greenhouse in winter, and planted in the garden by cutting off cuttings in summer.

All varieties and hybrids of ageratum bloom for a long time, from early June to September. But in order for it to be magnificent, several conditions must be met.

• Firstly, plants are compact only in open, sunny places. Even with a little shading, they stretch and bloom uncommonly.
• Secondly, the soil should be light, neutral, ageratum develops many shoots and leaves on too fertile soil, to the detriment of buds.
• Thirdly, if the plant is still stretched out, feel free to cut it off, because ageratum easily tolerates a haircut, after which it quickly grows back and blooms profusely again. This technique is also used to prolong flowering.

Ageratum diseases and pests

Ageratum is quite stable in culture. But in some years it can be affected by root rot, bacterial wilting. And while the plants are still young, in a room or greenhouse, it is often attacked by a whitefly and a spider mite. If this happens, the affected leaves must be removed, and the plants must be repeatedly treated with insecticides.

Alone, this may not be the most spectacular plant, but plant a few bushes together and you get a spectacular spot, and let low-growing marigolds or calendula bloom nearby. Ageratum is also suitable for outdoor flowerpots or containers, for boxes on the balcony. High varieties are suitable for bouquets that will stand in water for a long time, if the peduncle is cut off when the middle flowers in the inflorescences have just opened.