Eupatorium coelestinum L.

Scientific Name: Eupatorium coelestinum L.

Eupatorium coelestinum L.

General Information
Usda Symbol	EUCO6
Group	Dicot
Life Cycle	Perennial
Growth Habits	Forb/herb
Native Locations	EUCO6

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Eupatorium coelestinum L..

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Eupatorium coelestinum L., wild ageratum

Uses

This plant is used mainly for landscape beautification. It has potential for use in cultivated, garden situations, in naturalized prairie or meadow plantings, and along roadsides.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Mistflower is an erect (to 3 feet), rhizomatous perennial, often forming colonies. It is a U.S. native. The opposite leaves are oval-shaped, hairy, and have toothed edges. The small flower heads are clustered at the top of the plant. They are powder blue to violet and fluffy in appearance, similar to Ageratums used as garden bedding plants. The tiny seeds are black, elongated, and have long white hairs attached to one end. © William S. Justice Smithsonian Institution @ USDA NRCS PLANTS

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Mistflower is adapted to most soil types, but is especially suited to heavy textured and to highly organic soils. Natural stands are found on moist to wet sites, such as low woods, wet meadows, and ditches. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. Blue mistflower is distributed throughout the eastern and midwest United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

A clean, firm seedbed is essential, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Eupatorium coelestinum L.., The site should be treated with a herbicide to control existing vegetation, tilled, cultipacked once or twice, and allowed to settle thoroughly before sowing, Broadcast ½ to ¾ gram seed per 100 square feet (½ to ¾ lb/acre), Bulk sowing rates usually need to be increased to allow for low purity values, The seed can be mixed with sand or rice hulls to increase volume so that it will be easier to spread uniformly over the planting site, Seed must remain on the soil surface because they are easily smothered when buried in the soil, The seed will not germinate until the following spring, but will benefit from the cool, moist winter environment,

Management

Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. If not available, a rate of 3½ to 5½ oz/100 square feet (100 to 150 lbs/acre) of 13-13-13 should be applied after the seedlings are established and annually thereafter. Stands can be mowed in the spring and early summer. Later mowings should be delayed until the plants have set seed.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Eupatorium coelestinum L.

Eupatorium coelestinum L.

Eupatorium coelestinum L.