Ageratum 'Pinky Improved'

‘Pinky Improved’ is a compact pink selection of floss flower, grown as a frost-tender annual for a long run of soft, tufted color. Its small scale suits the front of a sunny border, edging, and containers; in hot climates, afternoon shade and steady moisture help keep it flowering. ## Flowers and placement The cultivar is listed by the [University of Hawaiʻi CTAHR](https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/GrowingPlantsHawaiianLei_Annuals_reduced.pdf) among Ageratum houstonianum selections. The exact cultivar reference in [Armitage’s Manual](https://uodiyala.edu.iq/uploads/PDF%20ELIBRARY%20UODIYALA/EL34/Armitage%E2%80%99s%20Manual%20of%20Annuals,%20Biennials,%20and%20Half-Hardy%20Perennials.pdf) reports dusky pink flowers and a 6–8-inch height for ‘Pinky’ and ‘Pinky Improved’. Ageratums form dense clusters of fuzzy, aster-like heads. Place it in full sun or partial shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Use it in repeated groups or near paths where its low mounds and small flower clusters can be seen. It is a seasonal annual, so replant after frost rather than treating its warm-climate hardiness range as perennial performance. ## Growing notes [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ageratum-houstonianum/common-name/ageratum/) describes the species as a frost-tender annual, generally 6–12 inches tall and 10–12 inches wide, with green foliage and pink, blue, or white flowers. The CTAHR guide gives dwarf ageratums a 6–9 inch height; the exact cultivar may vary with climate and culture. Leave room for airflow because powdery mildew and root rot can develop in unfavorable conditions. Flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone evenly moist, especially in heat, without leaving the soil waterlogged. Remove faded flower heads periodically to encourage fresh flowering and keep the mound tidy. Watch for powdery mildew, root rot, aphids, and slugs where conditions favor them.