This long-time favorite of the outdoor garden is also excellent in the greenhouse. The habit of low growth and small leaves interspersed with candlewick tufts of white, blue, lavender, or pink make it ideal for pots or for planting along benches to make an attractive edging. Agera-tum is nice for small flower arrangements and the lavender kinds are particularly attractive with yellow marigolds or pink zinnias. Provide a growing medium of equal thirds of soil, sand, and sphagnum moss, or use one of the pasteurized mixtures available at garden centers. Start seeds in February or March for greenhouse color or for setting out in the garden in spring. Sow in a flat and transplant to pots or bench after first true leaves (the second set) appear; or sow several seeds directly in a peat pot and thin out to one or two strong seedlings. Pinch out centers to induce branching. Repeat pinching several times to get full bushy plants. Recommended: 'Fairy Pink', 5 inches, salmon to rose-pink; 'Snow Carpet', 4 inches, uniform growth, pure white flowers. Lonas inodora is similar to ageratum in growth, flowers, and culture, and is sometimes called golden-ageratum.