Flower ageratum: Ageless long-haired

Its name is the flower ageratum (translated from Greek as ageless) for its ability to retain color for a long time, and in Russia, for a long flowering, it is called a long-flowered flower. The genus of the family of astroids or Compositae includes up to 60 plant species. These are annual or perennial plants imported to Europe from Mexico. In Russia, because of the sensitivity to frost, the flower ageratum is cultivated as an annual. In winter greenhouses and greenhouses it can be grown as perennial.

The best and most famous species is the Houston aheratum (otherwise - Mexican). It is a short (from 15 to 40 cm) erect compact shrub with small-toothed edges, with green oval leaves. Flowers are narrowly tubular, small, collected in fluffy, with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, spherical inflorescences. Colors: blue, white, pink, blue or lilac - depending on the variety.

Flower ageratum - a plant that is thermophilic and photophilous, is damaged even by weak frosts, so in the garden it should be allocated a warm and sunny place. The soil requires fertile, light, not acidic, drained and without organic substances, especially fresh manure. Drought-resistant, requires moderate watering, frequent loosening of the soil, weeding and 2-3 fertilizing per season with mineral fertilizers. With proper care blooms long and abundantly: from the beginning of July to frost. For wintering and autumn maintenance in the premises, the ageratum can be transplanted into pots at the end of the summer. Reproduction is carried out by seeds and cuttings. The flower is valuable in gardening quality: it has a perfectly developed root system, which allows you to carry out drying and overheating of the soil in the summer.

Ageratum Pink ball Is cultivated as an annual. Light-loving, sufficiently drought-resistant plant, reaching a height of 20-25 cm. The flowers are narrowly tubular, bisexual, small and fragrant, they are small (1-1.5 cm diameter) inflorescences of the basket, of which corymbose inflorescences are formed, about 10 cm across Grow an ageratum seedlings. Seeds are sown in the spring (from late March to early April), the finished seedlings are planted after the completion of spring frosts (May-June). The plant is thermophilic, does not tolerate frost. Use the Pink ball for planting in balcony boxes, on flowerbeds, in mixborders and workouts.

Ageratum The Blue Ball is an annual, very compact plant with tender fluffy blue inflorescences, only 30 cm high. Like other species, it is thermophilic and light-loving. Frosts, even small, can not stand. Prefers fertile soils and sunny places. Plant a blue ball in a seedling manner. First, in a greenhouse or a greenhouse, seeds are sown at a temperature of at least 20 ° C. Seedlings appear days in 7-10. In the open ground, the prepared seedlings are planted at the end of spring. To the aheeratum better bush, the tops of his pinch.

The ageratum is quite resistant to pests, but sometimes it can be affected by root rot. In the greenhouse or room, while the plants are young, they often attack spider mite and whitefly. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the affected leaves and treat the flower several times with insecticides.

The ageratum is widely used in landscaping in mixborders, on workbenches, suitable for pots, containers, street vases, boxes on the balcony. Transplanted into pots, plants easily hibernate in apartments, on light windows facing south. High grades are suitable for bouquets, which are especially appreciated for a pleasant delicate aroma. Very beautifully, the flower ageratum is combined, when decorating flowerbeds, with orange and yellow tall marigolds, white lion's pharynx, marigolds, orange and white dimorphote, and zinnia.