If you can find liver balm (Ageratum) at your garden center or nursery, you're sure to be offered it as an annual. In fact, this lush in many shades of color and very long-flowering ornament is perennial.
In principle, liver balm is perennial, but not hardy
This may sound confusing at first, but there are reasons. Because it is much easier to leave the liver balm in the garden until the first frost, then dispose of it and simply get a new plant in spring, than to bring the existing plant into the winter quarters in good time and care for it there. So you can enjoy the lush flowering until November.
Can I hibernate my liver balm?
Although it is rarely recommended, the liver balsam, which is not hardy, can be overwintered quite well. Since it does not tolerate frost, it must be brought into a warm place in good time before the first night frosts. At this time it may still be in full bloom, which may make your project a little more complicated, because pruning is not recommended.
Bring the liver balm to a bright place that guarantees temperatures of at least 5 °C throughout the winter. This can be a cool conservatory or a heated greenhouse. A dark basement room, on the other hand, is not suitable. Keep watering the plant regularly while your liver balm is still flowering. Then reduce the watering. Don't add fertilizer to your liver balm until spring.
When can I plant the liver balm again?
As long as you are still expecting late frosts, you should leave the liver balm in its winter quarters, otherwise all previous efforts may have been in vain. When the ice saints are over, it can go back to its original location. You can let your liver balm get used to the fresh air in a balcony box or bucket beforehand on warm days.
The essentials in brief:
- basically perennial
- not hardy
- is usually sold as an annual plant
- Hibernation is rarely recommended, but is generally possible
- winter frost-free and bright
- only plant out again after the ice saints
tips
The liver balm (Ageratum) is perennial by nature. If you have the space, just overwinter it.