Garden and Flowers

FLOSS FLOWER

The Ageratums are divided into two distinct groups, i.e. the taller upright plants suitable for incorporating in imaginative borders, and the typical low-growing plants for covering large areas and cultivating in containers. Both groups are referred to as floss flowers.

Ageratum houstonianum ‘Wedgwood’ is a typical example of the low-growing varieties and grows to about 6 in in height. Each small flower head is no more than V2 in wide, but the flowers bloom in large quantities between July and October. Their color is described as ‘blue’ but there is a lot of pink mixed in. They are highly suitable for bowls, pots, and other containers. Stand them in a sunny or partially shady position and never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ageratum houstonianum ‘Blue Blanket’ is a typical bedding plant on sale in large quantities in spring. Bedding plant growers sow ‘Blue Blanket’ as early as mid-January so that they can market flowering plants by late April and early May. The small plants, 8 in high, will bear an abundance of bluish-pink flowers over a long period. As far as I know, this variety is sold as a flowering plant only. It is also suitable for pots and other containers. The low-growing, lavender-flowered Agera-tum houstonianum ‘Blue Hawaii’ once received a Fleuroselect award.

Ageratum houstonianum ‘Old Grey’ belongs to the taller group of floss flowers. For those who like soft color combinations, this is undoubtedly the most rewarding cultivar. The soft greyish blue of the flowers blends well with numerous magnificent perennial and annual border plants. With an average height of 20 in, ‘Old Grey’ shows up best at the front of a border. This is also the easiest position for picking some of the slender stems for a small posy.

The flowering season depends on when the seeds were sown. If sown early (February or March), the plants may flower as early as May, but if sown directly in the garden, they will not come into flower until July and will subsequently go on flowering until the end of September.

Ageratum  houstonianum   ‘Pink  Ball’  is a small plant, about 8 in high, with flowers in shades of candy-floss: white and pale pink to bright pink.