Mexican Paintbrush (Ageratum Houstonianum) 200 seeds (#1157)

A very ornamental plan, the flowers are very attractive to butterflies.
A fast-growing Mexican native annual.
Excellent as bedding plants, edgers (along paths, walkways and border fronts) and container plants (hanging baskets, window boxes, urns or other containers). Also effective in rock gardens.
Bright blue flowerheads arise from oval, downy leaves in midsummer and continue until frost. They have a soft, fuzzy appearance and attract butterflies.
Grows well in ordinary garden soil. Requires a sheltered position in full sun.
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c.
A very ornamental plan, the flowers are very attractive to butterflies. The removal of dead flowers will extend the flowering season.
Approximately 200 seeds in 0.2g packet.

Genus - Ageratum
Species - Houstonianum
Common name - Mexican Paintbrush
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 11
Height - 0.20 m
Spread - 0.20 m
Plant type - Annual Flower
Exposure - Full Sun, partial shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - acid, neutral and basic (alkaline)
Soil type - Fertile, well drained
Water requirements - Average
Landscape uses - Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen
Bloom season - June - October
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Blue

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Indoor sowing:
1. Sow from February to April in trays of moist compost.
2. Sow thinly and cover with a fine layer of compost. Cover with glass, polythene or propagator lid.
3. Keep at +20-+25C. Seedlings appear in 10-21 days.
4. Remove cover when seedlings appear. When large enough transplant to individual pots. Stand outside for a few days late in May (avoid frosts). Transplant 15 cm apart in final position in June.
Flowers from June to October the following year.