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Companion Plants
Create an attractive border that the bees and butterflies will love:
Annual. An old-fashioned Victorian favourite, Heliotrope is as known for drawing in butterflies as it is for its magnificent fragrance. Heavy clusters of deep violet blooms stand out over bushy, dark green foliage. The flowers, with their sweet almond and vanilla scent, are still cultivated for perfume-making in Europe. Enhance this fragrance by planting en masse. They also perform well in containers. Grow in rich, well-draining soil and feed monthly. Plants are drought and heat tolerant once established. Note that all parts of the plant are poisonous.
Location: Landscape planting, Container, Butterfly garden
Bloom Period: July to September
Height: 12-18”
Plant Spacing: 10-12”
Perennial. Unusual, dramatic, and an absolute pollinator magnet! Large, 3” blooms attract bees, butterflies, and birds. Long, straight silver stems provide a splendid contrast to any perennial bed, but the glowing blue orbs create a particularly ethereal effect over white and green hues. They are long-living perennials, living 10 years or more, and are not invasive. They make beautiful, unique additions to fresh cut or dried arrangements. Globe Thistles are an extremely low maintenance addition to the garden. They thrive in poor, sandy, dry soil. Average water will bring the most flowers.
Location: Sunny border, Perennial bed, Cut flower garden
Bloom Period: July/August
Height: 3-4’
Plant Spacing: 18-24”
Annual. Get ready for a show! This unusual variety will undergo a beautiful colour transformation right before your eyes: unopened blooms will begin as a lemon curd yellow. Petals will then gradually unfurl to reveal an almost pure white blossom with a dark center. A beautiful contrast for any flower bed or vase!
Calendula are a terrific vegetable companion, as they attract pollinators and repel harmful nematodes in the soil. Their flowers are edible and dried petals can be used in place of saffron, as a garnish, or to make a delightful tea. They are very easy to grow, requiring minimal watering and feeding. Plant in poor to average, well-draining soil and deadhead occasionally for increased blooms.
Location: Mid-border, Mixed container, Vegetable garden
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 2’
Plant Spacing: 10”
Annual. This Mexican marigold is smothered in petite, sunny flowers with a light citrus scent. Plants grow in neat mounds with lacy green foliage. Both leaves and flowers are edible - leaves as a flavourful salad green, and flowers to dress up salads or desserts.
The quintessential companion plant, marigolds are stars in the vegetable garden. They attract bees, butterflies and beneficial predatory insects. They are an excellent companion for tomatoes and potatoes, as they repel harmful insects and soil nematodes. Plant in average soil with even moisture and fertilize every few weeks.
Location: Vegetable garden, Front of border, Mixed container
Bloom Period: June to October
Height: 12”
Plant Spacing: 12”