Blue Mistflower

Scientific Name: Conoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Asteridae / Asterales / Asteraceae / Compositae / Conoclinium DC./ Conoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.

Blue Mistflower
General Information
Usda SymbolCOCO13
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsForb/herb
Native LocationsCOCO13

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Blue Mistflower is planted.

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, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Blue Mistflower., 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. 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

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-13
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceLow
Frost Free Days, Minimum170
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Minimum5.5
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum24
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceTolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSummer
BloatNone
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorBlue
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormSingle Crown
Growth RateModerate
Height, Mature (feet)3.2
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
LifespanModerate
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Foliage TextureMedium


Reproduction

Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by TubersNo
Seed per Pound1500000
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seedling VigorMedium
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodSummer
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Blue Mistflower

Blue Mistflower

Blue Mistflower

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