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Floss Flower Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Floss Flower

Ageratum houstonianum

Politeness and trust.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Ageratum
Native to
Central America, Mexico
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Type
annual herb
Height
0.5-2 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
Moist, well-drained soil
Water
moderate
Hardiness
2-12
Lifespan
annual

Did you know

  • The name Ageratum comes from the Greek 'a-geras' meaning 'non-aging,' because the flowers retain their color for an unusually long time.
  • Floss Flower is one of the few true-blue annuals available, making it invaluable for blue color schemes in gardens.
  • The fuzzy, pom-pom-like flower heads lack ray florets entirely, consisting only of disc florets with protruding styles.
  • In traditional medicine in its native Mexico, it has been used to treat wounds, fevers, and as an insect repellent.
  • It was named after William Houston, a Scottish botanist who collected plants in Central America in the 1730s.

Color meanings

0

gentleness

1

trust

Uses

  • bedding plant
  • border edging