Companion Plants That Really Keep Aphids Away From Roses
Companion planting increases biodiversity in your garden, adds color and fragrance where it was lacking and, if done correctly, repels pests naturally. Roses in particular need companion plants that draw away ravenous aphids. Some of these plants repel aphids while others literally mask the scent of the roses so the aphids move on. Does this Spark an idea?
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Masking Plants
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Thyme, lavender and scented geraniums planted with roses fool aphids by emitting their own distinct volatile oils to mask the rose's scent. The aphids will ignore the roses and look elsewhere. Other companion plants with scents so strong they confuse aphids include oregano, sage, lavender, basil and sweet marjoram.
Repellent Plants
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Aphids just don't care for garlic and chives. Plant small clumps of them under your roses and the aphids should stay away. Other plants that will repel aphids include ornamental allium, basil, edible onions, scented geraniums (Pelargonium), rue (Ruta), feverfew (T anacetum), parsley (Petroselinum) and thyme (Thymus).
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Aphid Enemies
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Calendula, poppies, nasturtium, dill, fennel and marigolds attract hoverflies, whose larvae eat aphids.
Other aphid eaters include Hummingbirds and ladybugs, so you'll need plants that attract them. Some hummingbird-friendly plants are Salvia chiapensis (Chiapas sage) and Cuphea lanceolata (bat-faced cuphea), while ladybugs love yarrows.
Protection Spray
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Companion plants like elder, basil, rhubarb, garlic and wormwood can provide protection from aphids when made into an organic insecticide. Simmer one cup of leaves in four cups of water for an hour. Strain and cool it, then add 1 tsp. of dishwashing detergent. Put the cooled liquid in a spray bottle and spray the rose foliage, especially any tender new growth. It should kill off aphids before they become a problem.
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References
- Photo Credit David De Lossy/Valueline/Getty Images
