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Companion Planting for Insect Control

June 3, 2016 by ArtKnappAdmin

Annual Flowers for Beneficial Insects

Alyssum ‘Carpet of Snow’ (Lobularia maritima) — Masses of tiny flowers that attract hoverflies and parasitic mini-wasps.

Basil — A popular herb with flowers that attract beneficial insects and bees. The aromatic foliage may repel aphids and tomato hornworms.

Calendula Officinalis — Edible flower petals. Attracts bees and hoverflies.

Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) — Good flowers for attracting beneficial insects, including bees, lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic wasps.

Cosmos — Flowers for lacewings, hoverflies and parasitic wasps.

Cosmos are annuals, grown for their showy flowers.

Cosmos are annuals, grown for their showy flowers.

Dill — This herb can be used as a trap crop for aphids. The umbel flowers attract ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies and parasitic mini-wasps.

Marigold — For bees and hoverflies. Roots produce a secretion that kills root-eating nematodes in the soil. The flower petals are edible.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea sp.) — Showy flowers attract syrphid flies and ladybugs. Grow this vigorous vine on a trellis.

Nigella (Love-in- a-Mist) — A quick-blooming, self-sowing annual. The flowers attract bees. The seeds of Nigella damascena and Nigella sativa are edible.

snapdragons

The Snapdragon flower is rich in varieties and are surely a good choice to grow both indoors and outdoors.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum sp.) — One of the best flowers for bumblebees.

Zinnia — Brightly colored flowers that attract beneficial insects, including bees, ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitic wasps.

Perennial Flowers for Beneficial Insects

Agastache Foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) — Perennial herb with licorice-flavored leaves for tea. Spikes of blue flowers that attract beneficial insects and bees. Blooms the first year from seed.

Alyssum Saxatile ‘Basket of Gold’ — The bright yellow flowers bloom in May, providing an early food source for ladybugs and hoverflies.

Fennel — Edible leaves and seeds. One of the best flowers for attracting beneficial insects: bees, hoverflies, lacewings, ladybugs, syrphid flies, tachinid flies and parasitic wasps.

Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) — The flowers attract hoverflies, bees and parasitic mini wasps. The leaves and flower buds are used in recipes.

Echinacea Purpurea (Purple Coneflower) — Used in herbal medicine as an immune stimulant. The flowers attract praying mantis, bees and parasitic wasps. The seedheads attract birds.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) — A traditional herb used to treat migraine headaches. The white daisy-like flowers attract hoverflies.

Garlic chives make a lovely flower in a border or container plant, and work well in the herb garden.

Garlic chives make a lovely flower in a border or container plant, and work well in the herb garden.

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) — The flowers attract beneficial insects and bees. The leaves have a nice, strong garlic flavour. Allium species make good companion plants for roses because they repel aphids.

Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) — One of the best flowers for attracting beneficial insects in late summer to fall. Attracts assassin bugs, big-eyed bugs, bees, ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, praying mantis and parasitic wasps.

Hesperis Matronalis (Dame’s Rocket) — The young leaves are edible. The flowers attract bees and butterflies (pollinators).

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — The flowers attract hoverflies and bees. The fragrant foliage is used in potpourri.

lemonbalm

Lemon balm is a perennial herb from the mint family.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) — The lemon-flavored leaves make a good tea. The tiny flowers attract tachinid flies, hoverflies and parasitic mini-wasps.

Parsley — The umbel flowers attract ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, tachinid flies and parasitic mini wasps.

Rudbeckia Hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) — Golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers for attracting lacewings and bees.

Salvia — For bees, butterflies and hummingbirds (pollinators).

Thyme — English thyme is a kitchen herb. Creeping thyme is a perennial groundcover. The tiny flowers attract hoverflies.

Viola tricolor —  Let violas self-sow wherever they like. They don’t disturb the vegetables, and the edible flowers make nice cake decorations. Attracts a variety of small beneficial insects early in the year before most other flowers bloom.

Filed Under: Tips and Tricks

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Art Knapp Courtenay
1-250-334-3024
2855 Wentworth Rd,
Courtenay, BC
V9N 6B7

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