Blog

When to plant Ageratum in Rush County County,

Rush County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Ageratum between April 24 (after last frost on April 24) and May 15.

When to Plant Ageratum in Rush County, KS

Rush County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Rush County, Kansas

Your Rush County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 24
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: ageratum

    You're about 17 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Start harvesting ageratum

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: ageratum

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Rush County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Rush County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15
Share this guide:

Rush County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 17 🌸 Bloom: Jun 12 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 19

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 Rush County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.3) overlaps with Ageratum's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 174-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 885 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rush 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 ~979 GDD — county provides 2,523 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Rush County, KS

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Bloom June 19 Jun 19 – Oct 2

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Rush County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Rush County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 24 in Rush 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.

Rush County receives only 22" 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 Rush County, KS?

Rush County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rush County, KS?

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

When should I plant Ageratum in Rush County County, ?

In Rush County County, , plant Ageratum after the last frost (around April 24) and before the first frost (around October 15). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Rush County County, for Ageratum?

Rush County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Rush County County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Rush County County's temperate climate. Rush County County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 24 and first frost around October 15.

🌱

Your Rush County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rush County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Rush County, KS. 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.