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When to plant Ageratum in Teller County County,

Plant Ageratum in Teller County County, between May 18 and June 8 — the only viable window. Zone 5b's short season (148 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Ageratum in Teller County, CO

Teller County, Colorado Zone 5b June

Your June gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 11
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start ageratum under lights

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

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.

Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 6,538 feet, Teller County receives approximately 19.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Ageratum to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Ageratum successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Teller County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Teller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Jul 13 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: Jun 3 🌸 Bloom: Jul 29 – Oct 28

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 Teller County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.1) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

2
successive plantings in your 148-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Teller 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 ~878 GDD — county provides 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Teller County, CO

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 – Jun 8
Bloom July 13 Jul 13 – Oct 12

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Teller County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Teller County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after May 11 in Teller 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.

Teller County receives only 20" 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 Teller County, CO?

Teller County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Teller County, CO?

Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Ageratum in Teller County County, ?

In Teller County County, , plant Ageratum after the last frost (around May 11) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Teller County County, for Ageratum?

Teller 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 Teller County County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Teller County County's temperate climate. Teller County County averages a 148-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 11 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Teller County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Teller 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 Teller County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.