Musings on Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
I’m pretty sure this is Blue Mistflower, or least that’s what grew in this spot last year. But I’m surprised to see the habit of the new growth, very different from last year‘s summer and fall growth (I bought the plant in late summer – you can see last year‘s dead stems in this photo). This new spring growth consists of many stems coming out of the ground scattered at a considerable distance from the base of last year’s plant, all presumably attached by rhizome. I had assumed that I would see new stems grow from the center of the crown as you get with many (most?) perennials and as the plant came to me when I bought it last year and as it grew in the fall. Is this unusual spring growth pattern typical of this species?
(I’m pretty sure these are not all individual plants reseeded from last year. They feel too well-rooted.)
Comments (11)
laceyvail 6A, WV
6 years agoRelated Discussions
4 ft long plants with blue flowers starting to emerge?
Comments (1)Conoclinium coelestinum - Blue mistflower, Wild ageratum, Blue boneset, Mistflower...See MoreBlue Mistflower Question
Comments (32)Blackwillow, Have heard Conoclinium germinates in 1 to 2 weeks. This NRCS growth protocol says 7 to 10 days is typical for stratified seed. So looks like 2 weeks is a good estimate if seed is ready. PKponder, Glad you clarified the amount of spreading on Gregg's mistflower; I was thinking more of it not coming up by sprout or seed feet away from the parent plant, so easier to keep in bounds with a shovel. We have a big spot where ours still look "small" but have increased the areas they cover a lot more than I realized from their original 4" pots planted in Oct, 2014. Both were from the same nursery lot placed about 10 ft apart in what looks like identical light (full summer shade), soil, and slope. They were recently trimmed due to getting somewhat sparse and leggy from the lack of light. This one has spread ~4-6x similar to yours: The other a lot more: Sorry for poor photos - angle of the stems make the areas look larger than the actual footprint, but second probably does cover at least twice that of the first..... not sure why. They should look better once an adjacent hedge comes out and they can catch some sun. Weenerdogg, We got our Gregg's at Jim Miller's in Richardson and the Blue at the Denton County fall swap. Have also seen them at Rohde's in Garland, so should be able to find them in season at most nurseries that are well stocked with natives. Redenta's in Arlington is a bit closer to you and would be one worth checking with....See MoreAloysia gratissima and blue mistflower question?
Comments (6)Thanks Mara, the blue mistflower is Conoclinium coelestinum. I'll have to rethink where I can put the mistflower since it takes up real estate. I got two Gregg's mistflower plants last year and they took over a large section of my flower bed. Would the blue mistflower do well in shade? I have a spot under some large hackberries that get morning and early afternoon sun and then shade the rest of the day, would that be an ok spot for the bee bush? I'll need to get some more decomposed granite as well a some more pine bark....See MoreLots of blue and some white AGERATUM and rudbeckia
Comments (23)You can call it any nickname you prefer or remember, but often plants share nicknames, and it can be unclear what plant is being discussed. Like if one says daisy or lily. Too many of them to have a discussion without establishing which daisy or which lily is being discussed. The botanical name (Conoclinium coelestinum, in the case of the plant under discussion in this thread,) indicates a specific plant....See MoreRick (zone 6b, MA)
6 years agogardenfullofswallowtails
6 years agoRick (zone 6b, MA)
6 years agoRick (zone 6b, MA)
6 years ago
Amy (NE Ohio)
6 years agoRick (zone 6b, MA)
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
User