Ageratum houstonianum

Il fiore di seta — un'annuale compatta a portamento a cupola con morbidi ciuffi di fiori soffici in blu, malva, rosa o bianco su un fresco fogliame verde.
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  • Semi di ageratum Pink Ball (Ageratum houstonianum) – fiore annuale Ageratum rosa Pink Ball (Ageratum houstonianum) – semi di fiori annuali da SeedsChoice
    Semi di ageratum Pink Ball Ageratum Houstonianum annuale
    €4,95

    Pink Ball, agerato annuale per bordure ordinate I semi di agerato 'Pink Ball' sono una scelta affidabile per aggiungere un colore soffice e arrotondato alle aiuole stagionali. Questa pianta annuale da bordura forma un portamento...
  • Semi di ageratum Blue Mink (Ageratum houstonianum) – fiore annuale Alio ornamentale Blue Mink (Ageratum houstonianum) – semi di fiore annuale da SeedsChoice
    Semi di ageratum Ageratum houstonianum Blue Mink annuale
    €4,45

    Blue Mink annual color for beds floss flower seeds are a popular choice for adding soft, tufted blue color to seasonal displays. This variety is commonly known as Blue Mink and belongs to Ageratum houstonianum,...
  • Semi di ageratum Blue Mink (Ageratum houstonianum) – fiore annuale Alio ornamentale Blue Mink (Ageratum houstonianum) – semi di fiore annuale da SeedsChoice
    Semi di ageratum Ageratum houstonianum annuale Blue Mink
    €4,95

    Blue Mink annual color for borders Floss flower seeds are an excellent choice for gardeners who want a neat, low-growing annual with soft, blue-toned blooms. This Blue Mink type forms compact plants that suit a...

Ageratum houstonianum — the floss flower

Ageratum houstonianum is the botanical name for the floss flower, a neat, mound-forming annual prized for its soft, powder-puff clusters of fluffy blue, mauve, pink or white blooms held just above fresh green foliage. It is the species behind our ageratum range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to Mexico and Central America, ageratum was taken up by gardeners for its rare, true-blue colouring — uncommon among bedding plants — and its tidy, long-flowering habit, becoming a classic edging and carpeting plant in formal summer displays.

The genus name Ageratum comes from the Greek for "not growing old," a reference to the long-lasting flowers, while the species epithet houstonianum honours the botanist and surgeon William Houstoun, who collected in Central America.

Botanical characteristics

A compact half-hardy annual, dwarf forms staying around 15-20 cm, it produces dense, brush-like flower heads in such profusion that the foliage all but disappears over a long summer season. Its low, even habit makes it ideal for edging and our ground-cover flowers, while the nectar-rich blooms draw butterflies and bees into our pollinator flowers.

Growing Ageratum houstonianum from seed

Sow under cover in early spring, pressing the fine seed onto the surface and not covering it, as light aids germination; keep warm and bright. Grow on frost-free and plant into full sun or light shade in moist, fertile soil after the last frost; deadhead or shear lightly to keep it flowering. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow floss flowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Ageratum · Annual Flowers · Ground-Cover Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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Cos'è Ageratum houstonianum?
È il nome botanico dell'ageratum, una graziosa annuale semi-rustica originaria dell'America Centrale, apprezzata per i suoi rari fiori di un vero azzurro intenso e soffici mazzetti. Come si semina il seme di ageratum?
Semina al coperto a inizio primavera e premi il seme fine sulla superficie senza coprirlo, poiché la luce favorisce la germinazione; mantieni caldo e luminoso. Dove si usa meglio l'ageratum?
Il suo portamento basso, uniforme e arrotondato lo rende ideale per bordure, tappeti e il fronte delle aiuole, in pieno sole o luce ombreggiata. Come si mantiene la fioritura?
Pianta in terreno umido e fertile e asporta i fiori appassiti o spunta leggermente le piante in estate per mantenere abbondante la produzione di quei caratteristici fiori a pompon.