- Author: Shelley Stone-Schmidt
PLANTS THAT ATTRACT BENEFICIAL INSECTS
EARLY BLOOMING PLANTS
- Aurinia saxatilis, basket of gold alyssum (sun, medium height)
- Penstemon sp., penstemons (sun, medium height)
- Potentilla verna, or other cinquefoils (sun, low growing)
- Thymus sp., thyme (sun, low growing)
- Aquilegia x hybrida, columbine (shade, medium height)
- Ajuga reptans, carpet bugleweed (shade, low growing)
MID-SEASON BLOOMING PLANTS
- Achillea filipendulina, common yarrow (sun, low to medium height)
- Aster sp., asters (sun, low growing)
- Veronica spicata, spike speedwell (sun, medium height)
- Callirhoe involucrate, poppy mallow (sun to light shade, low growing)
- Coriandrum sativum, coriander (sun, medium height)
- Lavandula angustifolia, English lavender (sun, medium height)
- Potentilla recta, sulfur cinquefoil (sun, medium height)
- Lobelia erinus, edging Lobelia (part-shade to sun, low growing)
- Mentha sp. mints (sun, low to medium height)
- Sedum sp., stonecrops (part-shade to sun, low to medium height)
LATER BLOOMING PLANTS
- Achillea millefolium, fern leaf yarrow and other yarrows (sun, low to medium height)
- Allium tanguticum, lavender globe lily (sun, medium height)
- Anethum geraveolens, dill (sun, medium to tall)
- Anthemis tinctoria, chamomile (sun, low growing)
- Feniculum vulgare, fennel (sun, tall)
- Limonium latifolium, statice or sea lavender (sun, medium height)
- Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot (sun, medium to tall)
ADDITIONAL HIGHLY ATTRACTIVE PLANTS
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Annuals or perennials in the sunflower/aster family (many small flowers/petals around a central disk): cosmos, zinnia, small sun flowers, daisy, coneflower
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Cabbage, broccoli, mustard, bok choy, and radish allowed to flower
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Many herbs: borage, horehound, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, basil
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Mints: bergamot, pennyroyal, wood betony, thyme, (some invasive)
- Carrot family; angelica, coriander, parsley, dill, fennel, anise
- Sage Family (Salvia): scarlet sage, Cleveland sage
- Buckwheats (eriogonum)
REFERENCES: Websites with plant lists and information about beneficial insects.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74140.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/MG/NE/index.html
http://www.farmerfred.com/plants_that_attract_benefi.html
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/PHC/benefici.htm
June 2009. Written by UC Master Gardener Carla Markmann. Edited by UC Master Gardener Cathy Coulter and Judy McClure, UC Master Gardener Coordinator.
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