I'm getting started with my vegetable garden and focusing on pest control and attracting pollinators. I've planted some French Marigolds so far, but I'm curious about which other flowers are essential or beneficial to have in or around the garden. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
How is no one mentioning sweet alyssum? They’re beautiful border flowers that attract hoverflies, helping to keep pests in check!
Zinnias are a must! I plant them in every bed next to my vegetables. They attract swallowtail butterflies like crazy!
I’d pick nasturtiums—they're delicious! Their leaves are great in salads once the lettuce bolts!
I recommend adding dill, marigolds, nasturtiums, and zinnias. I've had great success with them attracting beneficial insects. Oh, and don't forget about white horehound—bees love it!
Wait, bees use plants for medicine? That's interesting!
Totally agree on dill. It’s like a magnet for ladybugs and beneficial wasps!
If you're looking for a variety, you can't go wrong with marigolds, coneflowers, bee balm, sunflowers, lavender, and even catmint. I have a large yard, and these are must-haves for me! Pollinators just flock to them!
I’m all in on this list, and I’d add Russian sage to the mix! It's beautiful and attracts pollinators.
Great list! Also, our hydrangeas are thriving and filled with all kinds of bees and butterflies.
Definitely! And cosmos are wonderful too!