Commonly called mistflower, this late summer to fall-blooming herbaceous perennial is native to the Eastern United States and is a part of the aster family (Asteraceae). It looks like the annual ageratum and in that regard is sometimes commonly called hardy ageratum.

It is a showy native plant that is found in the coastal plain growing along roadsides on moist ditch banks. Under cultivation, it becomes a choice perennial with 8 weeks of blue flowers from late summer until frost. It is nectar-rich and pollinators love it.

This plant prefers moist humusy soils that do not dry out in full sun to partial shade areas.

Late-season blooms attract monarchs, swallowtails, and numerous species of butterflies and skippers during fall migration.

Host plant for specialized moth species including the Clymene Moth, the Lined Ruby Tiger Moth, and the Three-Lined Flower Moth.