Flowers, Companion Planting & Benefits

Let’s explore the companionship of these delightful flowers and their benefits when planted alongside other herbs, vegetables, and fruits:

 

1. Marigolds:
   • Companion Plants: Marigolds are versatile companions that thrive alongside various plants. They can be paired with vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
   • Benefits:
     • Attract Pollinators: Marigolds attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing overall garden health.
     • Repel Harmful Insects and Pests: Their strong scent deters pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes.
     • Biodiversity: Planting marigolds adds biodiversity to your garden.
     • Space Saver: They can be interplanted between rows or containers, maximizing garden space.
     • Weed Control: Marigolds help suppress weed growth.
     • Water and Nutrient Conservation: They conserve water and nutrients for neighboring plants¹².
2. Nasturtiums:
   • Companion Plants: Nasturtiums pair well with vegetables and herbs.
   • Benefits:
     • Pest Deterrent: Nasturtiums repel aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs.
     • Edible Flowers: Their vibrant flowers are edible and add a peppery flavor to salads.
     • Attract Beneficial Insects: They attract pollinators and predatory insects.
     • Trap Crops: Nasturtiums can act as trap crops, diverting pests away from other plants³.
3. Calendula (Pot Marigold):
   • Companion Plants: Calendula pairs well with marigolds and other full-sun plants.
   • Benefits:
     • Pollinator Magnet: Calendula attracts bees and other pollinators.
     • Bright Blooms: Their cheerful blooms last all season.
     • Low Maintenance: Calendula is easy to grow and heat-loving¹.
4. Sunflowers:
   • Companion Plants: Sunflowers are excellent companions for other tall plants.
   • Benefits:
     • Vertical Interest: Sunflowers provide vertical structure and shade.
     • Attract Pollinators: Their large blooms attract bees and butterflies.
     • Bird Habitat: Sunflower seeds attract birds.
     • Nutrient Accumulators: Sunflowers absorb excess nutrients from the soil¹.
5. Lavender:
   • Companion Plants: Lavender pairs well with other aromatic herbs.
   • Benefits:
     • Aromatic Repellent: Lavender deters pests like moths, flies, and mosquitoes.
     • Relaxing Fragrance: The scent promotes relaxation.
     • Attracts Bees: Lavender is a favorite of bees and other beneficial insects¹.
6. Borage:
   • Companion Plants: Borage grows well with tomatoes and strawberries.
   • Benefits:
     • Attract Pollinators: Borage flowers attract bees.
     • Edible Flowers: Borage flowers are edible and taste like cucumber.
     • Soil Enrichment: Borage accumulates nutrients and improves soil health¹.
7. Alyssum:
   • Companion Plants: Alyssum pairs well with vegetables and herbs.
   • Benefits:
     • Ground Cover: Alyssum forms a low-growing ground cover.
     • Attract Beneficial Insects: It attracts hoverflies and lacewings.
     • Fragrant Blooms: Alyssum produces sweet-scented flowers¹.
8. Zinnias:
   • Companion Plants: Zinnias work well with other flowering plants.
   • Benefits:
     • Colorful Blooms: Zinnias come in various vibrant colors.
     • Attract Butterflies: They are butterfly magnets.
     • Cut Flowers: Zinnias make excellent cut flowers for bouquets¹.
9. Cosmos:
   • Companion Plants: Cosmos pairs well with other annuals.
   • Benefits:
     • Abundant Blooms: Cosmos produces profuse, daisy-like flowers.
     • Attract Pollinators: Bees and butterflies love cosmos.
     • Naturalizing: Cosmos self-seeds and naturalizes easily¹.

 

Remember, these companion plants not only enhance your garden’s aesthetics but also contribute to its overall health and productivity. Happy gardening! ¹²³

 

Sources:

(1) Marigold Companion Plants: 27 Plants to Grow With Marigolds. https://www.epicgardening.com/marigold-companion-plants/.

(2) Marigold Plant Companions – Learn About Marigold Companion Planting …. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/marigold/marigold-companion-plants.htm.

(3) How to Pair Marigold Companion Plants — Meadowlark Journal. https://meadowlarkjournal.com/blog/marigolds-companion-plants.

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