ARCHIVE / THE GREAT LADYBUG GIVEAWAY

 

ALL GONE UPDATE: Nursery reports shipment of Ladybugs has been exhausted. No more available for annual giveaway.

GUEST BLOG—Our friends at Armstrong Garden Centers (http://www.armstronggarden.com/) are giving away free Ladybugs TODAY on a first come first serve basis.  Check webpage for nearest store location.

Welcome to the Aphid Cafe

Why would you want to attract ladybugs to your garden? Ladybugs are beneficial insects, or good bugs. They eat bad bugs, the pest insects like aphids, thrips and spider mites that feed on your garden plants. A single ladybug can eat over 5,000 aphids in its life. So, they are great workers in your garden helping you to keep out the bad bugs. Encourage ladybugs into your garden by adding plants that they are attracted to.

Here are ten plants that attract Ladybugs and other beneficial insects. 

Agastache - has spikes of blue or lavender tubular shaped flowers and aromatic foliage with a lemon-peppermint fragrance. This perennial is a favorite of ladybugs, butterflies, hummingbirds and gardeners alike.

Dill - has feathery green foliage that stands tall in the back of herb gardens. But, don't just plant it there, mix it in with your perennial flowers. It attracts butterflies and ladybugs. Dill has clusters of pretty yellow flowers. Its also great used to season fish dishes or to incorporate in salads.

Lobelia - has brilliant blue or white flowers that are a favorite of hummingbirds. Plant them in container gardens and beds that receive full to partial sun.

Scabiosa - is known as the Pincushion flower. If you look closely at its blooms you will see why. The lavender flowers look like a pincushion with sewing needles. They bloom profusely from early spring through summer. Plant this perennial in a sunny spot for you and the ladybugs to enjoy.

Coneflower

Coneflowers (pictured) - Echinacea, or Coneflowers are a favorite summertime perennial that attract ladybugs, butterflies and hummingbirds. Best known as the Purple Coneflower there are many different varieties available today in all sorts of shades of purple, white, orange, yellow, pink, red and peach. Plant in full sun and enjoy these hardy perennials that don't require much extra water once they are established.

Coreopsis - is another hearty perennial that blooms profusely through the heat of the summer. While ladybugs and butterflies love it, its not a favorite of deer and can be planted in a deer resistant garden. Plant in full sun.

Lavender - there are many different types of lavender and they all attract ladybugs and butterflies. Their spikes of lavender or blue flowers are also prized for their fragrance and used dried in potpourris. Plant them as a hedge in your herb garden, in a mass in a waterwise landscape or in container gardens in full sun.

Milkweed (Asclepias) - is also called Butterfly weed and is known as a butterfly magnet, but they aren't the only beneficial insect that loves Milkweed, ladybugs do too. The beautiful flowers of Milkweed  are either yellow, orange, or red and yellow mixed. Plant them in a sunny spot.

Yarrow - is one of the easiest perennials to grow. Beautiful clusters of flowers in yellow, pink, or white sit atop fern like foliage. Yarrow is beautiful planted in mixed perennial borders and makes an excellent cut flower for drying. Plant in full sun and once it is established it requires little extra water.

Cosmos - has pretty daisy-like flowers that are available in pink, white, red, and yellow. They are easy to grow in beds and containers. Ladybugs are attracted to their delicate fern-like foliage. Plant them in full sun for spring and summer blooms.