Ageratum houstonianum Blue Bouquet - Bluemink

Ageratum houstonianum Blue Bouquet, also known as the Mexican Paintbrush, offers long graceful stems topped with ethereal inflorescences in splendid amethyst blue. It is a perfect variety for cut flower bouquets. The bushy plant has dark green foliage with a bluish tint. With an upright and dense habit, this perennial cultivated as an annual in our region, rewards us with its long flowering period and easy cultivation, ideal for structuring borders, pots, and the foreground of flowerbeds. To be grown in the sun, in moist soil.

The Blue Bouquet Ageratum is an old variety derived from Ageratum houstonianum, a perennial cultivated as an annual in the aster family, native to Central America and the Caribbean. It forms rounded and bushy masses, 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in height and 40 cm (16in) wide. Highly branched and covered in hairs, its numerous stems rise and gracefully spread out. The leaves, also hairy, are dentate and ovate in shape. They are sometimes heart-shaped at the base, with a fairly dark bluish green hue. From April until early autumn, the flowers bloom continuously if faded flowers are removed regularly. The inflorescences are pastel blue capitula, both soft and bright, grouped in pompom-like clusters, almost completely hiding the foliage.

Mexican ageratums are often planted in urban landscaping projects. Their abundant flowers and vibrant colours allow for interesting combinations with many other low-growing plants in flowerbeds: marigolds, calendulas, or red sages. One can easily create a pastel carpet by combining them with pink begonias and impatiens, or fragrant alyssums in the foreground of flowerbeds. The Blue Bouquet selection allows for beautiful flowering pots with fuchsias, indoors, on the terrace or balcony, as well as stunning bouquets in the house.

The Mexican Paintbrush is a plant that promotes insect pollination. Bees, butterflies, and others.