Ageratum

Ageratum houstonianum is native to Mexico and Central America, with many escapes becoming established as weeds in all parts of the world. Early cultivation in Europe led to the establishment of ageratum as a garden ornamental in Europe and the United States by the 19^th century. Seed companies successfully introduced F1 hybrid ageratum cultivars in the mid- 20^th century by using either self-incompatibility or genetic male sterility as a pollination control. Uses of ageratum range from dwarf cultivars used for containers, borders, or edging to tall cultivars used for cut flowers. Improvements in ageratum as cut flowers, dried flowers, larger flowers, more intense flower colour, an expanded flower colour range, more uniform plant habit, earlier flowering, and an extended bloom time are future breeding objectives.