Page 1 of 1
Flowers for my vegetable garden.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:55 pm
by ljcoolj
What would be some good flowers to plant near my vegetable garden? I have a flower bed setting very close and am thinking flowers to attract the pollinators. I would also prefer perennials. Any suggestions?
flowers near the veggie garden
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:54 am
by cgiglio01
Hi,
Here are some flowers I've had success with inter-planting with my vegetables, they also attract bees and hummingbirds.
Perennials:
catmint
echinacea
caryopteris (blue spirea)
lavendar
black eyed susans
daisies
butterfly bush
monarda (bee balm)
Penstemon
agastache
Salvia
The following annuals I plant directly in the vegetable garden to attract beneficials and help keep the bad bugs out.
Nastursium - great near cucumbers and melon family
Zinnia - bees, butterflies and hummingbirds LOVE them
Cosmos - bees, butterflies
Sunflowers - bees, butterflies
tidal wave petunias - they just look so nice!
Good luck!
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:05 am
by ljcoolj
Thank you so much! I already have the Black Eyed Susans, Butterfly Bush and Sunflowers...so think I'm going to add some more from your list too. Have also heard the hummingbirds love Cardinal Lobelia, does anyone know anything about Cardinal Lobelia?
cardinal flower
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:25 am
by cgiglio01
Hi,
They like moist locations, usually they are found near streams and wetlands. They also do well in part shade.
Love those Hummingbirds!! You just reminded me to put my feeder out soon!
Re: cardinal flower
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:13 pm
by ljcoolj
cgiglio01 wrote:Hi,
They like moist locations, usually they are found near streams and wetlands. They also do well in part shade.
Love those Hummingbirds!! You just reminded me to put my feeder out soon!
Yes, I love them too! I have 3 feeders out but haven't seen any yet. I know they've been spotted in my area too. I'm patiently waiting...just like I do for spring!
flowers with veggies
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:23 pm
by rainbowgardener
Another good flower to plant with your veggies is marigolds, which help keep nematodes away. Also it's good to mix alliums (onions, garlic) in with the veggies...
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:31 pm
by applestar
Don't forget to plant extra dill. Flowers attract pollinators and the foliage is food for the black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Fennel lasts longer for foliage. Designate a few for their use and move any munching on your carrots, parsley, parsnips, etc. to THEIR own plants. You can also just share if you plant enough.
Bees love mint-family flowers. Plant in pots unless you don't mind them escaping/taking over. Were thyme and yarrow mentioned? My thoughts keep going to herbs.... OK, um... Spiderflower (cleome)!
Did you know Cleome is the never mentioned 4th sister in the Native American "Three Sisters" planting of corn, squash, and beans?
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:45 pm
by mikeingeorgia
I'm a fan of the marigolds also. I have an indoor window sill greenhouse that I have dedicated just for marigolds. I just continually plant seeds in it and as the plants get big enough to survive I take them out and gradually ring the whole garden. As I take out each plant I replace it in the greenhouse with a new seed and start the process over again. I can grow about a dozen at a time this way.
Re: flowers with veggies
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:46 pm
by ljcoolj
rainbowgardener wrote:Another good flower to plant with your veggies is marigolds, which help keep nematodes away. Also it's good to mix alliums (onions, garlic) in with the veggies...
I have a flat of marigolds that I'm planting tomorrow and my onion have sprouted and are in the kitchen window. Guess I'm on the right track....
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:47 pm
by ljcoolj
applestar wrote:Don't forget to plant extra dill. Flowers attract pollinators and the foliage is food for the black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Fennel lasts longer for foliage. Designate a few for their use and move any munching on your carrots, parsley, parsnips, etc. to THEIR own plants. You can also just share if you plant enough.
Bees love mint-family flowers. Plant in pots unless you don't mind them escaping/taking over. Were thyme and yarrow mentioned? My thoughts keep going to herbs.... OK, um... Spiderflower (cleome)!
Did you know Cleome is the never mentioned 4th sister in the Native American "Three Sisters" planting of corn, squash, and beans?
I do have some dill to plant but wasn't going to put them back by the garden, think I'll change my course and put some out there too. Thanks for the tip!
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:48 pm
by ljcoolj
mikeingeorgia wrote:I'm a fan of the marigolds also. I have an indoor window sill greenhouse that I have dedicated just for marigolds. I just continually plant seeds in it and as the plants get big enough to survive I take them out and gradually ring the whole garden. As I take out each plant I replace it in the greenhouse with a new seed and start the process over again. I can grow about a dozen at a time this way.
After my seedlings make it to the garden and I have more room in my windows, I think I'll do this too. Great idea!!!!!! Thank you!