Flowers for Beneficial Insects
by Diane Linsley
Annual Flowers and Herbs
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) -- Attracts hoverflies and parasitic
mini-wasps.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) -- The flowers attract bees and other
beneficial insects. The aromatic foliage supposedly repels aphids and
tomato hornworms.
Borage (Borago officinalis) -- The flowers are edible, and the young
leaves can be cooked like spinach. Attracts beneficial insects while
repelling tomato hornworms. Lacewings lay their eggs on the leaves.
Self-sows prolifically.
Calendula (Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis) -- Edible, orange or
yellow flower petals. Attracts bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
Cornflower (Centaurea sp.) -- Attracts lacewings, ladybugs,
hoverflies, parasitic mini-wasps, bees and butterflies.
Cosmos -- Attracts lacewings, hoverflies and parasitic mini-wasps.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) -- The leaves are used in recipes, and the
umbel flowers attract lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic
mini-wasps. A favorite food of the Eastern black swallowtail
butterfly. Can be used as a trap crop for aphids. Self-sows.
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena) -- This self-sowing annual has
beautiful, blue flowers in early summer, followed by ornamental seed
pods. The seeds are edible and can be used in fruit salads and baked
goods. Nigella sativa (Black Cumin) has spicy, pepper-flavored seeds.
Marigold (Tagetes sp.) -- The flowers attract butterflies and
hoverflies, and the roots produce a secretion that kills root-eating
nematodes in the soil. The flower petals are edible.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.) -- These edible flowers should be in
every salad garden.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) -- Attracts bees like crazy. Birds eat
the seeds in autumn. Plant sunflowers where they won't shade the
vegetables.
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) -- A wonderful flower for attracting
hummingbirds, hoverflies, parasitic wasps and butterflies.
Perennial Flowers and Herbs
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) -- Edible, licorice-flavored
leaves for tea. Spikes of blue flowers attract bees, butterflies and
beneficial insects. Blooms the first year from seed.
Basket of Gold (Alyssum saxatile) -- The bright yellow flowers bloom
in May, providing an early food source for ladybugs and hoverflies.
Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum') -- Handsome bronze
foliage. The flowers attract lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies,
parasitic mini-wasps and butterflies, and the foliage feeds
swallowtail butterfly larvae. Freshly-ground fennel seeds are great
for sausage and spagghetti sauce, and the leaves are used in fish
dishes.
Catnip (Nepeta) -- Attracts bees, butterflies and beneficial insects.
There are both edible and ornamental varieties.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) -- Leaves and flower buds are used in
recipes. Makes a nice edging. Deadhead to prevent excessive self-
sowing. Attracts bees and butterflies like crazy.
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) -- The flowers attract bees and
beneficial insects. The leaves have a nice, strong garlic flavor.
Chives and garlic chives make good companion plants for roses because
they repel aphids.
Golden Marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria) -- The daisy-like flowers
attract lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies, tachinid flies and parasitic
mini-wasps.
Hesperis (Dame's Rocket) -- Pretty purple or white flowers. The young
leaves are edible. Attracts bees and butterflies.
Lavender 'Lady' (Lavandula angustifolia) -- A nice compact lavender
for the herb garden. The flowers attract hoverflies and bees. The
fragrant foliage is used in potpourri. Blooms the first year from
seed.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) -- The lemon-flavored leaves make a
good tea. The tiny flowers attract hoverflies, tachinid flies and
parasitic mini-wasps.
Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora) -- Like the name says, it
attracts bees like crazy. The lemon-scented leaves are edible, and
the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) -- The umbel flowers attract
hoverflies, tachinid flies and parasitic wasps. Parsley is a favorite
food of Eastern black swallowtail butterfly larvae.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) -- This perennial wildflower
is sometimes listed as an herb because the roots are used in herbal
medicine as an immune stimulant. The flowers attract bees and
butterflies.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) -- Lovely spikes of
blue flowers in June and July. Attracts ladybugs, hoverflies,
hummingbirds and bees.
Sage (Salvia sp.) -- There are many forms of sage, including culinary
sage. They all attract bees and butterflies, and some species attract
hummingbirds.
Speedwell (Veronica spicata) -- Attracts ladybugs and hoverflies.
Thyme (Thymus sp.) -- Attracts bees, hoverflies, tachinid flies and
parasitic mini-wasps.
Viola -- I let these self-sow wherever they like. They don't disturb
the vegetables, and the edible flowers make nice cake decorations.
Yarrow (Achillia sp.) -- Attracts ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic
mini-wasps.
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