Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to North America. It is 1.5 to 5 ft (0.5 to 2 meters) tall. Flowers are blue to purple or violet flowers (though occasionally white). The plant grows readily from seed. Purchasing an ounce of this seed can result in over a hundred plants for up to a quarter acre area.
Blue Mistflower is also called Ageratum. Taxonomists sometimes classify this plant within the Eupatorium genus, i.e., “Eupatorium coelestinum.” There is an annual and non-native plant also called “Ageratum.” The native, perennial wildflower Ageratum we also call Blue Mistflower is extremely easy to grow. It can err on the side of short-lived perennial growth habit. And yet, once Blue Mistflower roots really get established in the land somewhere, they’re not likely to vacate.
Conoclinium coelestinum is a wonderful fit for meadows and butterfly garden edges. It can be used as a groundcover in certain situations. Mistflower grows assertively from runners and tends to colonize gardens that have vacuum spaces. It may be too tall to be considered a groundcover in many garden areas. And yet if the motivation is to displace weeds or replace empty space, this plant is a good choice.
If you’d like our team to design and build a pollinator garden with Mistflower on your property, we’d love to meet you! Fill out our consultation request form and we’ll be in touch soon.
