Plant these 5 superhero flowers in your garden immediately for aphid-free roses, as advised by gardening professionals
Roses, with their vibrant colours and sweet scent, are a beloved addition to many gardens. However, these beautiful blooms can often fall victim to pesky aphids. But fear not, gardeners! There's a simple solution to keep your roses aphid-free and thriving: companion planting.
By strategically planting certain plants around your roses, you can create a natural defence against aphids and other unwanted pests. The best plants to plant next to roses to deter aphids include marigolds, garlic, basil, catnip, chives, lavender, and sweet alyssum.
Marigolds, particularly French and Mexican marigolds, release compounds that repel aphids and other pests. Their roots also secrete substances that kill harmful soil nematodes, creating an inhospitable environment for aphids.
Garlic, with its strong pungent aroma, is naturally repellent to aphids. Its presence near roses or vegetables aphids like to target can significantly reduce infestations.
Basil produces essential oils and chemicals such as estragole, citronellal, and limonene that aphids find unattractive, thus protecting nearby plants like roses from aphid attacks.
Catnip emits a rootbeer-like scent that repels aphids, and grows well alongside plants aphids like to infest, adding a layer of confusion for the pests.
Chives and lavender, both with strong scents that aphids dislike, can help prevent aphid infestations on roses and beans.
Sweet alyssum attracts beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs and lacewings that feed on aphids, enhancing natural biological control of aphids around rose bushes.
These plants deter aphids mainly through their strong aromatic compounds that mask the scent of roses or otherwise repel the pests. Additionally, some attract natural aphid predators, providing a natural biological defence.
Experts recommend planting alliums as a companion for roses, as they are known to repel aphids and other pests. Catmint is another attractive and beneficial companion plant for roses, acting as a natural pest deterrent against various insects including aphids, ants, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Lavender, with its beautiful lilac flowers, thrives in plenty of sunlight and has similar growing conditions as roses. It also attracts helpful pollinators like bees and hoverflies.
Lower-growing marigold varieties, such as French or Signet, create a colorful carpet of blooms around rose shrubs. They provide a beautiful contrast against roses and continue to deter aphids throughout the growing season.
By incorporating these companion plants into your garden, you can create a harmonious ecosystem that supports the growth of your roses while keeping aphids at bay. Happy gardening!
References: [1] Hicks, J. (2019). Companion Planting for Roses. Garden Myths. Retrieved from https://www.gardenmyths.com/companion-planting-for-roses/ [2] The Spruce. (2021). Marigolds: Companion Plants for Roses. The Spruce. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/companion-plants-for-roses-2132966 [3] The Old Farmer's Almanac. (2020). Basil: Companion Plants for Roses. The Old Farmer's Almanac. Retrieved from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/basil-companion-plants-for-roses [4] The Spruce. (2021). Sweet Alyssum: Companion Plants for Roses. The Spruce. Retrieved from https://www.thespruce.com/companion-plants-for-roses-2132966 [5] Gardener's Path. (2021). Catmint: Companion Plants for Roses. Gardener's Path. Retrieved from https://www.gardenerspath.com/plants/catmint-companion-plants-for-roses/
By incorporating marigolds, garlic, basil, catnip, chives, lavender, and sweet alyssum as companion plants around your roses, you can create a natural defense against aphids and other unwanted pests. Furthermore, lavender and catmint not only deter aphids but also provide aesthetic appeal and similar growing conditions as roses, which helps create a harmonious ecosystem that supports the growth of your garden.
