Ageratum Leilani Blue

The fluffy, light-as-air blooms range from 2 to 4 1/2 inches across, and literally arise all over very well-branched plants. Because they self-clean, you need never worry about "grooming" Leilani Blue. And feel free to cut all the blooms you want for indoor arrangements -- they keep coming as long as the weather stays warm!

Leilani Blue's clear color and fuzzy texture complement all the bright summer annuals beautifully. Let the low-growing, bushy Cosmos Sonata frame it with masses of clear white blooms, or enjoy the nodding golden heads of Coreopsis Early Sunrise leaning over this neat, rounded Floss Flower. Like Cosmos and Coreopsis, Leilani Blue is a great butterfly attractor. If you've been considering growing a butterfly garden, there are no better plants to begin with -- plus perhaps an Asclepias, such as the bicolor Butterfly Bush, for vertical effect. The butterflies will love you, and you will have enough cutflowers to keep your vases full all summer!

Leilani Blue is smaller and more compact than most Floss Flowers, making it a great choice for mixed containers. Try it front and center, perhaps surrounded by the apricot, rose, and orchid tones of Vinca Mediterranean Hybrid Mix, or the tiny, fragrant blossoms of Sweet Alyssum Pastel Carpet.

Leilani Blue is easy to grow, asking only full sun, reasonably well-drained soil, and ordinary garden soil. In southern regions, partial shade is preferred for best flowering during the hottest months. If you want to get an early start (recommended for the far north), sow seeds indoors about 12 to 14 weeks before setting out. Where the growing season is longer (hotter climates), direct-sow when the soil warms in early spring. Pkt is 75 seeds.