Conoclinium coelestinum
Growing Information
• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade.
• Soils: Prefers medium to wet soils, rich in organic matter which do not dry out.
• Bloom Time: Lavender-blue flowers in July, August, September
• Size: 1-2 feet in height
The root system will spread to form colonies and can spread aggressively in moist open ground, but not problematic. Flowers have no scent. Flower resembles the annual purple ageratum. Taller plants can be cut back in summer to prevent flopping.
Garden Companions
Blue Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia); White Wood Aster (Eurybia divarcatus)
Nature Benefits
• Attracts long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, short-tongued bees, various flies, moths, and beetles. Insects seek nectar primarily, although the bees often collect pollen.
• Host plant for caterpillars of such moths as the Clymene Moth (Haploa clymene), Lined Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia lineata), Three-lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia).
Native Habitat
Occurs naturally in wet meadows, along streams, in ditches.