Ageratum growing from seeds when to plant seedlings planting and care in open ground

The beautiful name Ageratum has Greek roots and is translated as “ageless,” which is associated with the possibility of long flowering without fading. The plant is also called Longflower. There are more than sixty plant species, but our most popular is Ageratum Mexicana. In Russia it is most often grown as an annual. Flowering - from June to October. Popular varieties: Blue Mink, Northern Lights, Blue Ball, White Ball, Pink Ball, Bonjour, Blue Fairy Tale, Snow Ball, Pink Ball, Ocean, Red Sea. The agricultural technique of growing ageratum from seeds at home is not complicated, but you need to know how to plant the crop correctly and care for the seedlings.

Planting and growing

Ageratum is grown by seeds and seedlings. Growing seedlings is considered a faster and more reliable method, in contrast to the long and labor-intensive method of growing seeds. When planting seedlings, use ready-made soil for hanging or terraced plants from a specialized store.

You can prepare the soil yourself by mixing soil with humus. Planting seedlings in the ground is carried out in the spring - April - May.

Growing seeds

Seeds are sown from February to the end of April. Small grooves are made in boxes with soil to a depth of 0.5 - 1 cm. Seeds are evenly distributed into the grooves and covered with soil.

Ageratum growing from seeds when to plant

The boxes are covered with film or glass to improve seed germination. The greenhouse effect created by this increases the temperature inside the box and retains moisture. To properly grow ageratum, the temperature should be maintained at least 20 °C. The appearance of the first shoots can be expected in approximately 2 weeks.

When 2–4 full-fledged leaves appear, seedlings are picked. The seedlings are transplanted into separate containers. After picking, young flowers should be watered generously. Due to their well-developed root system, ageratums easily take root in a new location.

Growing seeds - video:

Planting in open ground is carried out in a warm period of time, at a temperature of at least 20 °C. The heat-loving crop does not tolerate cold weather, so plants are planted not according to numbers, but according to weather conditions.

Picking seedlings - video:

When diving, it is recommended to use peat cups. When planting, seedlings are placed at a distance of 20 cm from each other.

Ageratum before planting in the ground

Outdoor care

Planting and care with photos will tell you how to properly grow Ageratum in the country in compliance with basic agrotechnical rules.

Spraying, watering

Watering the flower must be done depending on the weather. During drought, the plant should be irrigated more often; during rainfall, there is no need to water. The flower does not tolerate high humidity, so when watering you should take into account the required amount of water so that you can only moisten the top layer of soil.

Water for irrigation must be fresh and prepared in advance. You need to prepare it in the morning before watering or in the evening so that it warms up in the sun and settles. Watering should be done in the evening before sunset.

Weeding of the soil must be done immediately after watering. The procedure is necessary to ensure that oxygen reaches the roots and to remove weeds that can choke the growth of flowers.

Top dressing

Throughout the life of the flower, the soil should remain loose and nutritious. The soil must be fertilized several times during the season, cleared of weeds and loosened. The first fertilizing should be done 2 weeks after planting the plant in the ground.

During the budding period, it is necessary to carry out a second feeding. To achieve maximum flowering and longevity of the plant, you can feed it a third time, but the procedure is not mandatory.

Organic-based fertilizers should be alternated with mineral ones. Compositions based on potassium and phosphorus are very beneficial for the plant. Fertilizing with a large amount of nitrogen is not recommended, because it accelerates the growth of shoots and delays the start of flowering of the plant.

Transfer

Before the first frosts appear, it is recommended to dig up the most lush bushes and place them in separate pots. The plant can be placed in the house, on the veranda or balcony. In the spring, you can take cuttings from the bushes, root them and plant them in open ground after the onset of warm weather.

When transplanting Ageratum, you can use the following recommendations:

• to reduce stress in the plant, in the autumn it can be transplanted into a pot and kept for some time in a cool room;
• after moving the plant into the house closer to winter, it will go into a dormant period;
• in the spring, after Ageratum is transplanted into open ground, it will continue to bloom.

Trimming, tying, pinching

In order for the flower to bloom profusely, it is important to remove faded inflorescences in time. It is worth cutting off the upper parts of the shoots that stretch upward. This is necessary to ensure dense growth of the bush. To give the bush a different shape, you can do anti-aging pruning once a month.

Pinching should be done for thicker tillering. When the shoots begin to stretch upward, it is necessary to cut off the upper parts of the shoots. For good growth, at least 6 leaves must remain on the shoot. The procedure should be performed to ensure abundant growth of young bushes and prolong the flowering period.

Temperature and humidity

Ageratum loves open areas and warm climates. The temperature required for comfortable flower growth ranges from +22 to +26 ℃. The flower does not tolerate frost, so it overwinters at home at temperatures from +10 to +15 ℃. The plant loves moisture very much, but it is not recommended to over-moisten the soil, because if the water stagnates, the process of rotting of the roots may begin.

Propagation by cuttings

Ageratum is usually propagated by seeds and seedlings. Compared to cuttings, these methods are less labor-intensive and are used more often. The method of propagation by cuttings is used for breeding hybrids and to achieve a bushy plant appearance.

Propagation of ageratum by cuttings

Preparation for cuttings occurs in the fall before the onset of frost. Flowers intended for propagation are transplanted from open ground into pots and brought into a warm room. With the onset of spring, side shoots up to 5 cm in size are cut off from the plants. The place of the cuts should be below the buds, where there is a special substance that further protects the mother plant from the effects of fungus and disease. Cuttings should be planted in a mini greenhouse. Planting in open ground occurs as with conventional planting of plant seedlings.

Step-by-step sowing instructions

The process of sowing seeds is simple, but requires simple sequential steps.

1. To prevent water stagnation, fill the bottom of the container 1-2 cm with drainage material (expanded clay, perlite, coarse sand).
2. Fill the container with soil mixture, leaving a free edge of 2-2.5 cm
3. Water the soil evenly and abundantly using a spray bottle. For irrigation, use only settled water.
4. Place the prepared seeds on the soil surface at a distance of 1 cm from each other. Since they are small in size, it is more convenient to do this with tweezers or a toothpick: take a seed with the tip of a stick moistened in water and transfer it to the ground.
5. The seeds should not be sprinkled with soil; just press them lightly into the soil with your finger or spoon.
6. Moisten the spread seeds with water from a spray bottle, preventing them from being buried and moving along the surface of the soil.
7. Cover containers with planting material with a transparent covering material (film, glass, plastic).
8. Before emergence, place the container in a room with a temperature of +22-24°C.

Crops should be ventilated daily to prevent them from rotting. To do this, raise the covering material for 20-30 minutes.

Watering ageratum

Flowers do not tolerate heavy flooding with water. For full development of plants, daily moderate watering is required. It is best to water in the morning. The moisture entering the soil gradually evaporates under the influence of sunlight, thereby allowing the flowers to receive important vital energy. During the flowering period, the watering dose should be slightly increased. The soil should also be kept evenly moist.

Top dressing

Good flower growth is facilitated by the addition of humus. In the absence of this fertilizer, you can use mineral or compost, strictly observing the required dosage. Excess fertilizers, including organic ones, can bring plants a small number of flowers with increased growth.

what does ageratum look like?

The result is a non-flowering voluminous bush. Stable flowering of ageratum is achieved by using nitrophoska and ammophoska at the rate of 20 - 30 grams of fertilizer per 10 liters of water.

Loosening and trimming

Constant care requires periodic loosening of the soil and removal of weeds. When weeding, you should loosen the soil with care to avoid damaging the roots that are close to the surface.

Restoring the flower after trimming the overgrown upper part is painless and quick. Withered and dry flowers are removed from the plants. This will create an attractive appearance, maintain a compact shape for the bushes, and also extend the flowering period.

Flower care

Well-groomed ageratum bushes

In order for the ageratum to make its owners happy with lush flowering, it should be carefully looked after. You need to pay attention to watering, fertilizing, pruning, loosening, and weeding.

Top dressing

In order for the flower to grow actively and bloom beautifully, you need to regularly add fertilizer to the soil. This is usually done once every 14-21 days. Here it is advisable to use humic and mineral fertilizers. You can take organic matter - mullein infusion.

Complex feeding

The use of fresh manure is strictly prohibited! This will lead to negative consequences.

Many gardeners prefer complex fertilizers. Initially, feed the flower with a minimum dosage. If there is an excess, the growth of ageratum slows down. Much does not mean good.

Watering

Watering should be done systematically. It is important to ensure that the plant is not over-watered. This will lead to rotting of the rhizome.

On hot days, one abundant morning irrigation is enough.

But in any case, you need to look at the circumstances. If there is no sun, then 3-4 times a week is enough.

Trimming

To get lush and beautiful bushes, you need to periodically prune the plant. During pruning, only a few internodes remain (3-4, no more). This promotes flower growth. It is also necessary to regularly remove those inflorescences that have wilted.

Secateurs are a must-have tool for a good gardener.

If there are damaged parts of the plant, it is advisable to remove them immediately. If the cause of their deterioration is a disease, then they are burned, and the plant is immediately treated with a special preparation.

Weeding

The gardener is constantly required to weed the beds to remove weeds.

If this is neglected, the weed will take all the useful substances from the soil, and accordingly the flowers will lack them. Pests are also much more likely to appear in the grass. All this will not only slow down the growth of the plant and lead to poor flowering, but can also contribute to its death.

It is important to systematically loosen the soil. This will allow oxygen to penetrate to the root, preventing the formation of an earthen crust and various diseases.

After loosening, it will be useful to cover the soil with mulch. This will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.

Here it can be used:

• straw;
• sawdust;
• dry leaves;
• compost;
• husk, etc.

If you listen to all the recommendations, the ageratum will bloom for a long time and actively.

What actions to take after the ageratum has faded?

Before the onset of the first cold weather, it is recommended to dig up the largest bushes and place them in separate containers. This beauty can be brought into the apartment, onto the balcony, etc.

Active flowering phase

After this, ageratum is grown as a houseplant. With the arrival of spring, the flowers can be planted in their original place.

The plant is not frost-resistant and will not survive even slight frosts. Leaving it in the ground for the winter, you can forget about it next year.

Ageratum at home

Home conditions are perfect for flower development. Unpretentious plants grow well in spacious containers with a small amount of drainage at the bottom. In winter, they delight with friendly flowering. In summer, they are placed on the balcony, veranda or secured under the windows.

Simple rules for caring for ageratum at home will help preserve the decorative appearance of plants for a long time:

1. The placement of flowers in the room should be on the south side of the apartment, near the windows, with plenty of warmth and light.
2. Watering the plants should be done daily in the morning, with small doses at the root.
3. Purchasing ready-made soil for ageratum, with the necessary content of microelements and organic substances, will allow the plants to receive useful nutrients. At the same time, the loose structure of the soil will give the roots constant access to air.
4. Complex compositions of fertilizers must be applied once every six months.
5. Overgrown flowers should be divided and planted in spacious containers.

How to properly plant ageratum seedlings: main steps

Now let's look at the main stages of planting ageratum seedlings: preparing seed, soil mixture, choosing a container, direct sowing.

Seed selection and preparation

As you know, the higher the quality of the seed, the greater the chances of growing strong, good and healthy seedlings, which in the near future will delight you with beautiful and luxurious flowering.

It is better to buy seeds from a reliable manufacturer who has a good reputation in the market. If you come across a product in dented, damaged, dirty packaging, this should alert you, since storage conditions may have been violated and germination has decreased.

Another trick that can be used when choosing seed is to pay attention to the packaging; the package should contain detailed information about the plant, the manufacturer’s recommendations on planting dates, planting in the ground, flowering time, contact information and address should also be indicated. A good example in the photo:

By the way! You can sow ageratum seeds for seedlings without any preparation, but if you want to improve germination and get stronger seedlings, you can soak them in a solution of a growth stimulant drug , for example, Epin-Extra, Zircon, Energen (follow the instructions on the package).

You can also use biological agents for treatment, for example, aloe juice (dilute with water in a ratio of 1:1, keep in solution for a day), honey (1 teaspoon diluted in a glass of water, soak for 5-6 hours).

Soil preparation

For normal development of plants, they must initially be planted in a suitable substrate. It is optimal to use fertile, but loose, light soil that has excellent air and water permeability.

You can successfully plant and grow ageratum in purchased land. A universal soil for flower seedlings is suitable for these purposes

Advice! Be sure to add sand, vermiculite or sand to the purchased soil; the loosening component will improve the structure, moisture and breathability. You need to mix in a ratio of 1 part baking powder to 3 parts earth.

To make a soil mixture for sowing flower crops with your own hands, you should mix the following ingredients:

• peat (1 part);
• humus (1 part);
• sand (1 part).

You can also prepare the soil according to the following recipe:

• soil from the garden (2 parts);
• peat (2 parts);
• vermiculite (0.5 parts).

Selection of capacity

Since the planting material of this crop is small, it is most convenient to sow ageratum seeds for seedlings in a common wide and shallow container , and then plant them. The optimal height of the container is 7-10 centimeters, but no more (the root system will not have time to develop too large an area).

Important! The container must have drainage holes . They are necessary to remove excess moisture and prevent water stagnation, which can cause root rot and fungal diseases.

If there are no holes, it is recommended to make them yourself, for example, using scissors, a nail, or an awl.

Master class on planting ageratum

Sowing ageratum seedlings at home is a very simple procedure that even a novice gardener can handle. The difficulty may arise only because of the size of the seeds. The following step-by-step instructions with photographs will help you sow the crop correctly:

1) Place drainage at the bottom of the container.

It is necessary for normal water outflow, optimization of air and water permeability, and prevention of soil acidification. Expanded clay, any small semolina, broken brick, perlite (in the photo) are perfect as drainage materials.

Advice! The drainage layer should not be too large, it is enough to put 1.5-2 centimeters.

2) Fill the container with soil mixture.

The soil must be distributed evenly to avoid voids. Leave a small distance between the edges of the container and the surface of the ground (about 3 cm).

3) Water generously.

It is best to do this from a spray bottle, this way the moisture will spread over the surface more evenly.

Important! At this stage and for all subsequent waterings, you can only use clean, settled water at room temperature.

4) Direct sowing.

As you can see in the photo, ageratum seeds are relatively small, so you need to plant carefully:

Advice! It is recommended to maintain the optimal distance between seeds - 1 centimeter.

It is convenient to sow a flower crop using tweezers; just carefully pry the seed and transfer it to the ground:

You can also plant it conveniently using a wooden toothpick. To do this, you need to dip the end of the product in water, pick up one seed and, as it were, wipe it on the surface of the earth:

By the way! There is also the simplest, most convenient way to plant ageratum seeds for seedlings - with your hands, you need to sort of salt them on the surface of the ground (as in the photo). This option is very acceptable, because the crop tolerates picking well, and if the crops are too dense, it can then be safely planted.

5) Lightly press the seeds into the surface of the soil.

Under no circumstances should you do this too much. It is convenient to use a spoon, but you can press it lightly with your hand.

Important! It is recommended to perform only surface sowing of ageratum. That is, there is no need to bury or cover it with soil!

6) Water the soil with the seeds after planting.

At this stage, you can only use a spray bottle. When watering with other tools, you can deepen the planting material with water pressure or wash it over the surface.

7) Cover the container with a lid or film.

This action is necessary to create greenhouse conditions that maintain heat and high humidity. Such conditions are required for seed germination.

Transfer the container to a warm place with a temperature of 22-23 degrees Celsius.

A little trick! In order not to confuse the containers with seedlings, it is recommended to somehow mark the container - sign it with a felt-tip pen, attach a sticker.

Diseases and pests

Ageratum is resistant to various diseases. Due to its tropical origin, it is an “unpalatable” plant for pests. However, despite its good resistance indicators, it is also subject to some diseases and attacks from dangerous pests:

• frequent planting and increased watering of plants leads to cucumber mosaic and bacterial wilt;
• most susceptible to invasion by aphids, whiteflies and spider mites.

Garlic tincture is the most effective folk method in pest control.

To prepare the tincture, use 220 grams of chopped garlic, poured into 1 liter of water. After 5 days, the mixture is diluted in 10 liters of water. The prepared tincture is applied using a sprayer to the infected areas of the plant. When making the tincture, you should carefully monitor the amount of garlic used in order to avoid burns to the plants in the future.

Both folk and industrial special means help to resist pests. In the fight against spider mites, it is recommended to use industrial products from insectoacaricidal preparations: Agravertin, Neoron and Nissoran. The following drugs will help you cope with whiteflies: Mospilan, Tanrek and Komandor.

Reviews of Ageratum Blue Ball

Alena, 30 years old, Odintsovo Ageratum I have been growing the Blue Ball for several years. I took it from my mother. He grew up on her property. And I found out that it is a perennial. Now in the summer he lives on the balcony, and in the winter on the windowsill. It blooms almost all year round, with the exception of the winter months.

Oksana, 40 years old, Serpukhov Ageratum I really like the blue ball because of its delicate flowers. It goes with almost all colors and looks great in the border mixed with marigolds. Of course, you will have to tinker with annuals, which is not always convenient. But it will bloom until October, when you will have to forget about other flowers.

Difficulties in growing and caring

When planting ageratum early, the color of the leaves may change to a lighter color due to low temperatures at night. In this case, timely hardening of seedlings with shelter during the cold night will be an effective preventive measure. Targeted hardening with removal of seedlings to the balcony is also possible. The following are used as shelter: cellophane, paper bags, cut-off bulky plastic eggplants.

If the ageratum is not watered correctly, the plant may turn black and rot. Abundant watering from above causes water droplets to be retained by the fuzzy top part of the plant. If there is insufficient ventilation, the flower will become moldy, with further negative consequences. In this situation, only the root method is a mandatory and correct condition for watering.

Recommendations for growing seedlings

Some care tricks will help you grow beautiful flowers that are pleasing to the eye.

1. Light is necessary for seed germination, so you should not bury the seeds when sowing.
2. Periodic unfolding of the planting container allows you to prevent the seedlings from stretching and tilting to one side.
3. The requirements for soil and air moisture are different. The soil should always be slightly moist, while the air should always be dry. It is not recommended to place seedlings in close proximity to a humidifier.
4. Lack of sunlight and lack of ventilation lead to the development of fungal diseases.
5. Pinching the tops of seedlings no higher than 3-4 internodes allows you to stimulate the growth of side shoots and form a strong, voluminous bush.
6. Removing weakened shoots and dried parts of the plant allows you to increase the number of inflorescences and extend the flowering period.

Even beginners taking their first steps in floriculture can grow ageratum seedlings from seeds. An unpretentious, but very beautiful plant will delight you all summer with its flowers of various colors.

Collecting seeds for planting

To obtain seeds for planting, flowers must be pollinated by bumblebees or bees. After the end of the flowering period of the plants, after approximately 2-3 weeks from the appearance of flowers, seeds are collected for future planting. The collected seeds are light brown in color, very light, have an elongated shape and small size. 1 gram can contain from 6 to 7 thousand pieces.

Seeds are best stored in paper or fabric bags in a cool, dry place.

Picking seedlings

When to pick ageratum depends on the growth rate of the plant. The optimal time for picking is when the sprouts have 2 real, healthy and well-developed leaves.

In order not to cause severe stress to young seedlings, picking is best done in cloudy weather, early in the morning or late in the evening. Basic picking rules:

• 2-3 hours before the procedure, moisten the soil generously;
• pour nutrient substrate into new containers or other containers;
• make a small depression in the center;
• place the seedling in this depression along with a lump of earth;
• lightly press the soil around the seedling and water.

7-10 days after picking, you can feed with complex mineral fertilizers for decorative flowers - Aquarin, Agricola or Fertika Lux are suitable for this.

Description of ageratum with photos of flowers

The southern tropical countries: Mexico and South America are considered the homeland of perennial ageratum. A large distribution of flowers can also be seen in the eastern part of India. In the climatic conditions of Russia, due to poor frost tolerance, the plant is grown as an annual. The developed root system adapts well to a new location. The heat-loving crop can grow in greenhouses and at home for many years.

Ageratum blue in the photo

The appearance of ageratum has a small bush shape with stems not exceeding 60 cm in length. Small bright green leaves from 3 to 4 cm completely cover the plant, creating a lush carpet. The decorative effect of the ground cover plant is provided by soft fibers that envelop the leaves, stems and flowers. The bushy part contains tubular flowers of blue and purple color, with petals in the form of long soft needles. The color range of flowers of ageratum varieties is represented by pink, white, lilac and other shades. Long flowering for up to 5 months, starting from May - June and ending in October, pleases others with its richness and amazing beauty.

Culture is widely used in landscape design. Goes well with many plants. Used in the design of carpet compositions. Capable of harmoniously filling empty spaces among representatives of other cultures. In demand in the work of designers and florists.

Application in landscape design

Not only garden owners are involved in growing Blue Ball ageratum. An unpretentious and long-flowering plant attracts the attention of landscape designers. The variety allows you to create beautiful compositions with brighter and taller flowers. For example, with marigolds and zinnias.

Ageratum is not bad. A blue ball will highlight the beauty of roses or clematis in purple or white-pink shades. It is also suitable for decorating alpine slides. In mono-plantings, when growing, the Blue Ball ageratum, thanks to its large leaves and abundance of inflorescences, will allow you to close large free spaces.

But first of all, due to its low growth, the Blue Ball ageratum is an excellent option for decorating borders. Can be grown in containers and flowerpots. This variety can also be used to decorate a loggia, balcony or veranda.

Popular varieties of ageratum

Flower growers who want to add ageratum to their collection must first select a plant variety. Each variety of flower has its own merit.

Blue mink

The most popular of all varieties. This species has large flowers with a classic color. Numerous hybrids have been created based on this variety. The flower called Ageratum Blue Danube is the most beautiful. The hybrid of this plant is smaller in size compared to the mother variety. The main difference between this type of ageratum is its unusual purple color of the flowers.

Mexican

The variety has a second name - Houston's ageratum. The size of the flowers is larger than that of "Blue Mink". It can reach a height of up to 50 cm. The variety contains two subspecies: shrubby and herbaceous. The flowers are light blue with a lilac tint, collected in corymbose-shaped inflorescences. The plants are photophilous, adapt well to bright sunlight and are not afraid of high temperatures.

Ageratum mexican photo

Summer snow

This species has a miniature and not too branched bush form. Small leaves of rich light green color. Lush white flowers are collected in complex umbrella-shaped shields, which are densely distributed over the surface of the bush. Long flowering occurs from early June to late autumn. Flowers tolerate heat well. The variety is grown on the borders of flower beds and in flowerpots.

Agerantum white Summer Snow

Pink ball

It is the best annual ground cover variety. During flowering, a small branched bush is hidden by a bright cap of fluffy and fragrant pink flowers. Blooms intensively from mid-June to mid-October. There are large pubescent leaves. The sun-loving plant grows well in nutritious soil. Used to decorate flower beds for various purposes.

ageratum pink ball

Bonjour

The variety of annual plant is a low bush about 25 cm high. Flowering from the beginning of June lasts until the onset of the first frost. Large corymbose inflorescences contain fragrant multi-colored flowers. The light-loving and drought-resistant species can be grown in light shade. Flowers are an original decoration for balconies, flower beds, ridges and mixborders.

ageratum bonjour

Snow blanket

The ground cover variety is strewn with snow-white flowers, which are collected in fluffy paniculate inflorescences. A low spreading bush reaches a height of up to 25 cm. The flowers of this variety cover a flowerbed, flower garden, border with a luxurious white “blanket”, harmoniously combining with other flowering plants.

ageratum snow blanket photo

White ball

Small flowers resemble fluffy white balls, densely dotted on small spherical bushes. Drought-tolerant plants grow in any soil. Tolerates sun and partial shade well. They are distinguished by abundant flowering until the onset of frost. The combination of this variety with red, blue, pink and purple flowers of other ageratum varieties presents a mesmerizing and impressive appearance. Plants are grown to decorate flower beds, balconies, borders, and rocky hills.

ageratum white ball photo

Aztec Treasures

The excellent characteristics of the variety distinguishes this species from other types of ageratum. Grown by seedlings. Long-term abundant flowering pleases the entire summer period until the first autumn frosts. The wide range of colors of flowers looks harmonious in a decorative flowerpot, in any flower bed, and also when creating spectacular borders.

Ageratum Aztec treasures photo

Peculiarities

The Ageratum flower is an unpretentious plant that can bloom luxuriantly and profusely outdoors in open ground. Garden culture is characterized by a long flowering period. Therefore, flowers can be planted in a flowerbed to decorate the landscape design.

To start growing Ageratum flowers in your summer cottage, you must first become familiar with all the advantages and disadvantages of the plant:

If you do not neglect the rules of agricultural technology, Ageratum will bloom profusely and luxuriantly until the onset of autumn frosts. Flowers have a rich range of colors, so they are suitable for creating landscape design. Planting and care with photos will allow novice gardeners to properly care for a flowering plant, which requires timely watering, pruning and fertilizing.

Ageratum planting sites

The ornamental crop is widely used for home and garden decoration. It grows most in the flower bed. When planting several varieties, a beautiful flower meadow is obtained. The combination of plant varieties with red and yellow flowers of other crops elegantly and effectively decorates any flower bed. Also used for decorating borders and alpine slides.

To create expressive flower arrangements, ageratum is grown with other decorative flowers: zinnia, marigold, calendula and many others.

A light-loving plant that requires a lot of sun and space. Planting in a shady place is not suitable for flowers; they grow more tall and lose their aesthetic appearance. For planting, choose soil that is fertile and neutral in chemical composition. Rotted manure is used as fertilizer, which, unlike fresh manure, does not burn plant roots. In poorly ventilated soil, drainage is done to avoid rotting of the root system. To do this, a layer of gravel is laid under the top layer of soil.

The best varieties of ageratum are rightfully popular and in demand among many gardeners. An unpretentious plant, when planted in a timely manner and properly cared for, gives all its connoisseurs an abundance of bright colors.

Selection of location and soil

Ageratum grows and blooms best on fertile soils that are well-permeable to air and moisture. Sandy loam mixtures and loams with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction are ideal for its growth. The plant needs a lot of light, exactly as much as fresh air. But ageratum does not tolerate humus and rocky soils at all. It is recommended to feed it exclusively with mineral fertilizers for flowering annuals (ready-made mixtures are commercially available).

Based on these preferences, you should choose a place to plant ageratums. It should be open to sunlight and air currents. Only light shading is allowed for a period of no more than 2 hours a day.