top of page
Writer's pictureGrower Greg

Species Spotlight: Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)


Blue Mistflower in flower

Interesting facts:

  • The generic name is derived from the Greek words κῶνος (kônos), meaning "cone", and κλινίον (kliníon), meaning "little bed".

  • Blue Mistflower has an appearance similar to Ageratums used as garden bedding plants.

  • Blue Mistflower is also commonly known as Blue Boneset, Wild Ageratum, and Hardy Ageratum.

  • Blue Mistflower is nectar-rich, so pollinators love it.

Native Environment/Plant Information:

Blue Mistflower is an upright patch-forming plant of the Aster Family. It generally grows 1 to 2.5 feet. The root system is highly rhizomatous, often resulting in large colonies on ideal sites. It’s stems typically grow 1-2 feet tall and are downy and often purplish in color. Leaves are typically 1-3" long and 1-2 inches across and opposite. Leaves are triangular in shape and coarsely toothed. Unlike many Aster Family plants, flower heads of Blue Mistflower lack showy ray flowers. Flowerheads typically around 1/2” across and are a composite of 30-50 small, “fluffy”, tubular disk florets that are typically blue-violet but can be pink, lavender or occasionally white. Terminal clusters of flower heads (called a corymb) span 1-3” across and give the plant a flat-topped look. They typically bloom over a long period (6-10 weeks) between July and October. Florets are replaced by achenes with small tufts of hair. Seeds are are distributed by the wind.

Blue Mistflower prefers full sun, well-drained sites and consistent moisture. It is typically found in river-bottom prairies, moist open woodlands, gravelly seeps, borders of lakes and rivers, moist meadows in wooded areas, bases of bluffs, and ditches. This plant usually occurs in poorly drained areas and near sources of water.

Cultural Information:

Blue Mistflower is easy to grow. It prefers medium to wet well-drained soils and full sun or light shade. It does best in fertile, humusy soils that do not dry out. Because if flowers over a period of 8 weeks, it makes a good plant for cultivated gardens. However, this plant can spread aggressively in moist open ground because of its rhizomatous root system. It’s drought tolerance is poor making it a better choice for Rain Gardens.

Blue Mistflower freely self-seeds and is a vigorous perennial that can spread aggressively by rhizomes. Because of its tendency to spread, it may not be the best choice for small plantings/gardens. Blue Mistflower may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed

Blue Mistflower does best in a Naturalized Garden or as a Pond Border due to its tendency to spread. In both cases it is forced to compete with other plants. It also does well in Wildflower Gardens, along streams or ponds, in an Open Woodland Garden, Meadows, Butterfly Gardens, Native Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Water Gardens, Borders, or Mass Plantings.

Flower opening in September

Wildlife uses:

Blue Mistflower flowers are nectar-rich, making them a butterfly and pollinator favorite. Flowers attract long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Other occasional visitors include short-tongued bees, various flies, moths, and beetles. Insects seek nectar primarily but bees often collect the white pollen. Insects that feed on Eupatorium spp. (Bonesets) may also feed on Mistflower. This group of plants is a host plant for the Clymene Moth (Haploa clymene), Lined Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia lineata), Eupatorium Borer Moth (Carmenta bassiformis), and Three-Lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia).

Blue Mistflower achenes provide a late summer and fall food source for birds.

Blue Mistflower is moderately resistant to damage by deer. Mammalian herbivores rarely consume Mistflower because of its bitter foliage.

Honey bee pollinating Blue Mistflower.

Useful Links and References:

コメント


bottom of page