Friday Rookie Topic XVI: Flowers in the SFG

When I started my frist SFG decades ago I was a purest. No flowers in my garden. They'er pretty sure but I thought of them as a waste of space. This year I have seen the light. I was so wrong. There are many reasons to interplant flowers and flowering herbs in and around your garden I do not have the space here to completely cover the subject but I am happy to share an introduction.



1. Did I say they were pretty? The beauty that flowers add was underated by me I must admit. I had no idea how enjoyable sitting in the garden among the flowers would be. For those of you who have HOA's to deal with it may make it possible to have a vegetable when other wise it would not be alowed.

2. Flowers attract pollinators. I think most of us already know that, but planting Sweet Alyssum, and Borage can attract many times the pollinators than a garden would have without them. Our ag. extention agent Keith Fuller once said to me "Planting Borage is a way to pay the bees for all thier hard work". Bees show a preferance for blue, yellow and white flowers.

3. Small flowers attract benefical insects here is a neat list I found.

Anise
While not a spectacular flower, this member of the carrot family is good for attracting parasitic wasps, lady beetles, and other beneficial insects. It's a tall, ferny herb that makes a good backdrop for a vegetable patch.

Bachelor's buttons
The cheerful blue bachelor's buttons, or cornflower, is a good nectar provider for many beneficial insects. The bright blue color will attract bees to pollinate the garden.

Borage
Borage is an ancient herb that is a terrific bee magnet, and is excellent for drawing other pollinators. It's a good companion for strawberries and vine crops.

Candytuft
This old-fashioned annual attracts bee-like hoverflies that are good pollinators. It also provides nectar for other beneficial insects and cover for various beetles.

Calendula
Also called pot marigold, calendula is easy to grow and provides abundant pollen to feed many predatory insects. It is also a nectar plant for butterflies.

Chervil
Not a spectacular flower, but this herb will attract parasitic wasps that destroy many garden pests.

Cosmos
Tall, ferny cosmos is a cheerful and attractive flower that brightens the late summer garden. It will attract bees, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and provide nectar for butterflies. The seed heads will attract many small birds.

Dill
Like anise, dill is grown as an herb rather than a flower, but it too will attract many beneficial insects.

Marigolds
The Aztecs planted marigolds in the belief that these flowers protected their crops, and they were right. A ring of marigolds around the garden helps ward off parasitic nematodes. The flowers draw many pollinators, including hoverflies, and provide food for parasitic wasps. Birds will pick apart the seed heads if they are left in place.

Nasturtium
Bright nasturtiums come in both vining and dwarf forms. They attract many pollinating insects, and are a good trap crop for aphids. They will also confuse pests that attack cucumbers and squash if planted along with these crops.

Sunflowers
Big, bouncy sunflowers are a familiar part of the vegetable patch, and for good reason. Their abundant pollen draws many beneficial insects, they produce nectar for butterflies, and birds feast on their seeds.

Sweet Alyssum
A border of sweet alyssum around a garden bed provides cover for predatory beetles. The flowers are a rich source of nectar for many pollinators.

Learn more about this author, Karen Bledsoe



3. It has yet to be proven without a doubt but it is said some flowers repel garden pests. Cabbage moths don't like Anise Hyssop or sage. Tomato Horn Worms hate Borage. Japanese beetles feel the same way about Geraniums. Who has not heard of the power of pot marigold to keep root knot nematodes at bay.

4. On the other side of the coin we have Trap Crops. These attract pests away from your vegetables. I wouldn't interplant them but have them nearby, when they become infested you can pull them up and dispose of them by burning or bagging. Some good ones are nasturiums since they are much loved by aphids, cucmber beetles and white flies, sunflowers attract stink and big legged bugs, nicotiana aphids enjoys these.

5. Biodiversity, Mel is a fan of this I know. Planting a wide variety of things confuse insect pests.

OK they are bound to be some who still think as I once did and do not want to give even one square up to a mere flower. I saved the last one for you.

6. Many flowers are edible this list is found at http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Edible_Flowers_List

• Angelica: tastes like licorice
  
• Anise hyssop: anise or licorice flavor
  
• Apple blossoms: like apples
  
• Chive flowers: taste like chives
  
• Bee Balm: tastes somewhat like oregano or mint
  
  
• Borage: somewhat cucumber-like
  
• Carnation: sweet flavor, good for desserts
  
• Chamomile: somewhat like apples
  
• Chervil: anise
  
• Chrysanthemums: tangy, bitter
  
• Citrus blossoms: taste like the fruit
  
• Clover: sweet, somewhat anise
  
• Cornflower: usually spicy, somewhat like cloves
  
• Dandelion: sweet, honey-like
  
• Day Lily: somewhat sweet, reminiscent of vegetables
  
• Garden Sorrel: tart, lemony
  
• Gladiolas: lettuce-like, mild, but pretty as a serving vessel
  
• Hibiscus: tart, like cranberries
  
• Honeysuckle: sweet
  
• Hyacinth: nutty
  
• Jasmine: strong, good for use in tea
  
• Johnny Jump-Ups: mild, wintergreen
  
• Lavender: sweet, floral
  
• Lemon verbena: lemon
  
• Lilac: flowery, a little bitter
  
• Linden: similar to honeysuckle
  
• Marigold: usually peppery, can be somewhat bitter
  
  
• Nasturtium: peppery, good in salads
  
• Okra: nutty, somewhat like asparagus when cooked
  
• Pansy: mild, slightly sweet
  
• Pineapple Guava: sweet, melon-like
  
• Primrose: slightly sweet
  
• Queen Anne's Lace: light, like a carrot
  
• Rose: different varieties have different flavors, but mostly sweet; even if you do not want to eat them, consider using them to decorate cakes and pastries
  
• Squash blossoms: taste like the squash they would have grown into
  
• Sunflower: young flowers taste like artichokes, older flowers are bitter
  
  
• Sweet Woodruff: sweet, somewhat nutty
  
• Tulip: mild lettuce or cucumber flavor
  

ModernDayBetty wrote:I feel like I'm taking a time warp back to September. Sorry I missed this post, I would have asked soon! It was the busy hum of back to school that kept me away from sfg forum so I'll blame being a teacher on earlier missed opportunity.

I am really interested in growing Queen Annes Lace. From what I understand it grows wild in some parts of Washington, just not sure where. I have been trying to find seeds but I've hit a bit of a wall. I love how pretty and complementary they are with most other wild/garden flowers in a bouquet. Has anyone ever bought seeds? If under a alternative name please tell me which. (the multitude of names might just be the problem!) Thanks!

wncsohn wrote:Wow, I knew that flowers were beneficial but I didn't realize there were so many!

I am definately glad you posted this information and will definately be looking into it further! Especially since Tomato Horn Worms totally destroyed my tomatoes 2 years running!

I have bachelor's button (Blue Boy), nasturtium (Empress of India) and two types of sunflower (Teddy Bear & Mammoth Grey) that I've not ever planted. Apparently, shame on me! They will definately all get a place in my garden this year, along with MANY other flowers and herbs!