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When to plant Ageratum in Phillips County County,

Ageratum planted in Phillips County County between May 11 and June 1 matures in 75 days — well before the October 7 first frost.

When to Plant Ageratum in Phillips County, CO

Phillips County, Colorado Zone 5b June

This month in Phillips County, Colorado

June is a pivotal month for Phillips County, Colorado gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Get ageratum seeds going inside

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 5,494 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Phillips County, CO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 7 🌸 Bloom: Jul 2 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 26 🌸 Bloom: Jul 21 – Oct 20

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Phillips County

How your county's soil matches Ageratum's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Ageratum — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Ageratum.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 156-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,219 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

Ageratum needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Phillips County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Ageratum Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Ageratum needs ~1,029 GDD — county provides 2,379 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Phillips County, CO

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 – Jun 1
Bloom July 6 Jul 6 – Oct 5

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

156 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Phillips County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after May 04 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Ageratum in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Phillips County receives only 21" of rain annually. Ageratum needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, CO?

Phillips County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 7.

When should I plant Ageratum in Phillips County County, ?

In Phillips County County, , plant Ageratum after the last frost (around May 4) and before the first frost (around October 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County County, for Ageratum?

Phillips County County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Phillips County County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Phillips County County's temperate climate. Phillips County County averages a 156-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 4 and first frost around October 7.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Phillips County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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