In January, I featured
Eupatorium sordidum in my foliage follow-up post. At that time you could see flower buds just beginning to form.
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| Miniature buds in January |
In February, the buds were well-formed but still far from opening.
I thought it a certainty that the plant would be in bloom by Bloom Day in March. But nooo...
Well, the plant is finally in bloom now!
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| Eupatorium sordidum in bloom |
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| Close-up of Eupatorium sordidum bloom |
In flower, the plant looks like an ageratum on steroids. In fact, when I purchased it from Annie's Annuals & Perennials, an on-line nursery based in Northern California, it was sold as
Ageratum corymbosa. Annie's site reports that it blooms nearly year-round there but that hasn't been the case here, although I recall that the bloom period extended a few months last year. Our relatively hot summers may be an issue. It grows about 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Mine receives about 2 hours of early morning sun but it's in shade the rest of the day. I tried one plant in an area with afternoon sun and it's struggling there. The leaves appear greenish to start and become purple-tinged as they age. It needs just a little grooming in the summer here to keep it looking neat. It's a very satisfying plant - even if it did take its time coming into bloom.
Love it!! I love the purplish tinge to the leaves. I have perennial eupatorium 'Chocolate' but I like the coloration in your annual even more. I really like the 2nd pix. It looks great with whatever is growing next to it. :o)
ReplyDeleteThis is the only Eupatorium I know of that grows in this area - the genus isn't even listed in my Sunset Western Garden Guide. This one's actually a perennial (even though I got it from Annie's Annuals). It's growing next to a Calliandra haematocephala (aka 'Pink Powder Puff). I love the combo too.
DeleteI love the purple leaves - and those blooms were worth waiting for! Perhaps when it matures more, it will bloom for a longer period of time. It would be wonderful to have it blooming almost year round!
ReplyDeleteAn ever-blooming plant would be a great joy but I'd settle for a few months of bloom. Thanks for visiting, HolleyGarden!
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