Floss-flower
Annual
Family: Compositae
Ageratum houstonianum
Noted for its blue flowers, this half-hardy annual
from the tropics is essential in the
annual flower border.
Known also as Ageratum mexicanum and perhaps synonymous
with Ageratum conyzoides, from which it differs in having
heart-shaped and not rounded leaves at the base.
The leaves are small, ovate and toothed; the flowers
of blue or white are borne in fluffy heads with
great freedom.
The species is represented mostly by its garden
varieties and there are dwarf forms, not exceeding
six inches high, such as Little Dorrit and Little
Blue Star, both with blue flowers;
Swanley Blue is popular, having a taller stature
with freely produced flowers of sky-blue;
Blue
Ball and Blue Cap have deep blue flowers and neat
compact habits.
The seed should be sown in boxes under glass in
March, the seedling pricked off and planted out
in June, six to eight inches apart, when the risk
of frost is past.
Propagation is from seed.
The flowering season is from late June until Michaelmas.
Ageratum – Rose Campion
Hardy Perennial
About 2 feet.
Flowers crimson, July.
A border plant of the Lychnis tribe, with grey
downy leaves and single flowers of a very fine
deep crimson.
Will grow almost anywhere, but well repays a good
site and soil.
May be increased by division of the roots, or
by sowing seed in April in the open if the conditions
are favourable.
In cold latitudes and heavy soils, and in places
where slugs are troublesome, it may, like other
perennials, be sown in boxes in a snug corner,
or under a frame.
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