May 2024: Flowers and Edibles Make Good Neighbors

Spring is here and plants in the Edible Demo Garden are beginning to bloom. Not all the blooming plants in the garden are edible crops – some are there for their flowers. The flowers add to the beauty of the garden, but they don’t just look pretty – they have important jobs to do. They attract pollinators, repel pests, provide a habitat for beneficial insects, and contribute to the biodiversity of the garden. It turns out that many flowering plants can be good companions for the edibles.

 

A variety of flowers are grown in the Edible Demo Garden. Some are perennials such as yarrow and lavender. Others are annuals that are grown from seed in the greenhouse and planted each year. These include zinnias, marigolds, and calendula. Then there are the flowering plants that self-seed and return on their own like the California poppies and the sunflowers. Sunflowers have been so successful in the Edible Demo Garden, that they sometimes show up where they are not wanted.

 

Favorite flowers for attracting pollinators

It’s easy to tell which flowers are popular with bees – just head for the buzzing sound. The California lilac (Ceanothus), planted in the garden several years ago, blooms early, ensuring that there will be bees around when the spring vegetable crops start blooming. Although it’s also a culinary herb, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), is another bee magnet. It turns out that many of the culinary herbs and herbs for tea produce flowers that attract pollinators. Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida), Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), Coneflower (Echinacea)and Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) all do double duty in the Edible Demo Garden. Nectar producing flowering plants, like the Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii) and California Fuschia (Epilobium canum) also attract hummingbirds and butterflies to help in the pollinating work.

 

Flowering plants that discourage pests

There is increasing scientific-based evidence that certain plants are effective in managing pests in an edible garden. They can confuse pests, luring them away from their favorite target and disrupting their feeding and egg-laying behaviors. Studies have suggested that plants with strong odors can discourage pests by masking the scent of the desired host plant. Marigolds (Tagetes) have long been a pest-repelling favorite of gardeners, but the supporting science is scant. However, there is research showing their effectiveness against parasitic nematodes and some flies affecting vegetable crops. In addition to their ability to attract pollinators, Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus), have been found to reduce squash bug damage when grown with zucchini. Their edible flowers make them especially welcome in the garden.

 

The importance of diversity in the garden

Mixing in some flowering plants with the edibles encourages beneficial insects that can keep pests in check. Members of the Asteraceae family, which includes yarrow, sunflowers, zinnias, calendula, and asters, support beneficial insects that dine on aphids. Flowering herbs provide nectar for parasitic wasps which help control caterpillar pests. Low -growing flowering plants such as thyme and oregano provide a sheltered habitat for ground-dwelling beneficials.

 

The right flowers in an edible garden are not just ornamental, they balance the garden. They help in creating a habitat that supports plant growth and production and reduces the need for pesticides and other pest-management strategies.

 

Click here for more information about plants that attract pollinators.