Flossflower, or Ageratum spp., is one of those plants that really does punch above its weight. With their fluffy pom-pom blooms in lilac and blue, they flower from July right through to the first frost, and even come with the added bonus of a mosquito-repelling aroma. Not bad for such a compact little plant.
I first came across flossflowers years ago, tucking them into a jumble of late-summer bedding alongside other bright, low-maintenance annuals. These half-hardy plants are often sold in nurseries through summer, and I’ve found they’re best in generous drifts. Mass them near a seating area, and you’ll get clouds of powder-blue flowers humming with pollinators long into the season.
