Spring is in the air! But that means, so are bugs. Some insects, like bees and butterflies, are welcome visitors in our yards because they are great pollinators and are amazing for our ecosystems. However, some insects like mosquitos are just pesky pests! Did you know that the vegetation in your yard or garden can help attract or deter certain insects? For example, planting lavender or citronella may help keep mosquitoes away, while plants like bee balm and sunflowers help to attract lovely little pollinators. If you have a lawn, you might also consider taking part in No Mow May – a campaign urging individuals to hold off mowing for the month of May to allow flowers to bloom to help early season pollinators. Keep reading for more ideas about what you should be planting this year.
Don’t Bug Me: Plants that Repel Mosquitos
Lavender
Lavender does double duty; not only is lavender great for deterring mosquitoes, but it also attracts pollinators. Lavender is kind of like half herb/half flower. It has a wonderful, calming scent, dainty purple blooms, and is a perennial, which means it comes back every year. There are so many reasons to love lavender, which is why it made the top of our list.
Marigold
Marigolds are a great way to add pops of color to your garden or window boxes. They are annuals, which means they don’t come back every year, but they are easy to find and can even be bought from your local grocery store. Mosquitoes hate them because they marigolds contain a compound called pyrethrum that is particularly malodorous to a variety of insects, including mosquitos
Citronella
Most everyone has smelled a citronella candle or a tiki torch – I’m sure you can imagine the lemony, floral scent floating through backyards on a summer night. Citronella plants work in the same way. You can even rub citronella leaves on your skin for an all-natural mosquito repellant!
Basil
This delicious and fragrant herb is #1 for home chefs. Perfect for pesto, pizza toppers, and caprese salad, there are so many ways to utilize this magical leaf. Basil is the gift that keeps on giving. If the conditions are right basil plants can grow very big, so if you’re a basil lover like me, consider planting them in a large pot to allow them to grow to their full potential. The fact that mosquitoes don’t like it is just a bonus!
Allium
If you have never seen allium before, you are in for a treat because they look like something out of a Dr. Seuss landscape. Depending on the variety, these spherical flowers can be anywhere from 5” tall or grow up to 6 feet tall! Allium is a perennial so you only have to plant bulbs once and they will come back year after year. Allium is in the same family as onions and chives, and mosquitoes dislike them because of their oniony smell.
Bee Enticing: Plants that Attract Pollinators
Bee Balm
Bee balm is the gift that keeps on giving. These colorful blooms are perennials and they multiply every year. Many gardeners will even divide their bee balm after a few years and move them to another location in their garden or share them with a friend. PLUS bee balm also acts as a mosquito repellant, so it’s a win-win!
Coneflower
Coneflowers, also known as echinacea, are in the daisy family and come in a variety of colors. Coneflowers not only attract pollinators, but have been used in herbal medicine for centuries, most commonly used to treat colds, coughs, and respiratory infections. They are also heat and drought-resistant, which make them an easy choice for your garden.
Milkweed
Milkweed is critical for monarch butterflies. Not only are the butterflies attracted to its sweet nectar, but monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, making this plant a necessity for the species. Consider planting milkweed in your yard this fall!
Borage
Borage, also known as starflower, is a flowering herb that can grow up to two feet tall. Besides attracting pollinators, borage is also used as a companion plant for tomatoes and other produce because of it’s ability to ward off pests. Be gone, tomato hornworms!
Sunflower
Add some sunshine to your yard with the aptly-named sunflowers! Sunflowers thrive in full sun. They can grow anywhere between 1 and 15 feet tall so make sure to plant them down deep enough for a sturdy root. Bumblebees will love floating from flower to flower to drink its sweet nectar.
