Gregg’s Mistflower
Description: Gregg’s Mistflower is widely loved by gardeners because of its magnetic allure to butterflies. The fuzzy lavender flowers of this plant are attractive in mass plantings, rock gardens, containers, and also mixed with other plantings in garden borders. Gregg’s Mistflower is prized for its long flowering period, blooming most profusely in cooler weather, and therefore making it a popular choice for autumn floral arrangements. The “misty” blue flowers rise above attractive foliage and reach about 2 feet in height. Because of its creeping nature, this plant will quickly fill in an exposed garden area. Gregg’s Mistflower is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.
Plant Care: Gregg’s Mistflower is an extremely low-maintenance plant if it receives full sun and is provided with weekly moisture, ensuring that the soil around the plant is allowed to thoroughly dry between each watering.
Botanical Name: Conoclinium greggii
Common Name: Gregg’s Mistflower, Texas Ageratum, Palm Leaf Mistflower, Palm Leaf Thoroughwort, Purple Palm Leaf Eupatorium, Hardy Ageratum
Synonyms: Eupatorium greggii
Category: Perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Lifecycle: Perennial
Alt Lifecycle: Annual
USDA Symbol: COGR10
Hardiness Zone North: 7A
Hardiness Zone South: 10B
Sun Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hours of sun per day)
Sun Requirement (Alt): High Sun (4-6 hours of sun per day)
Water Requirement: Low
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Low
Plant Adult Height: 1-2 ft.
Plant Adult Spread: 2-3 ft.
Plant Spacing: 1-2 ft.
Soil Preference: Adaptable
Soil pH Preference: Slightly Alkaline (7.4-7.8)
Propagation: Division, Seed
Propagation & Planting: Gregg’s Mistflower should receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight and requires excellent drainage. The plant spreads rapidly by rhizomes and must be confined to its own space if planted among other plants, or it can become invasive. Gregg’s Mistflower is grown easily from seed planted in the spring. Clumps are also easy to divide and replant into other areas after the last frost. Gregg’s Mistflower is perennial throughout USDA zones 7-10.
Fertilize: Gregg’s Mistflower does not require fertilizer.
Prune: Due to its spreading nature, spent flowers should be regularly removed to prevent Gregg’s Mistflower from reseeding. The plant should also be pruned if desired to maintain an attractive form. At the end of the blooming season, Gregg’s Mistflower should be cut to ground level, and it will return in the spring.
Pest & Disease: Gregg’s Mistflower is not affected by any serious pests or diseases.
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Moths
Resists: Rabbit, Deer, Disease
Tolerates: Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Heat
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