Ageratina
Mist flower, White snakeroot
Also known as Eupatorium
- Height × spread
- 0.9m – 1m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are plants with a modest demeanor and their appeal is generally a subtle one. They have aromatic foliage - the leaves of some forms being likened in appearance to stinging nettles, though they don't sting. Garden worthy forms are generally of modest heights. Ageratina ligustrina can reach a height of 5 metres in Mexico or Costa Rica. Grown outside in the warmer parts of the UK it is unlikely to exceed 2 metres. The most showy form is the popular Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', a comely 1.2 metres in height and making a stylish dark presence with its deep toned foliage and chocolate flowers. The Ageratinas tend to flower from late summer, their blooms being small and frothy looking, coloured in soft whitish shades. These used to belong to the Eupatorium family and have been reclassified.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Black, Brown, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.9m – 1m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.