When visiting a garden centre to purchase plants for the season, you may find that certain insects are more prevalent around the plants you decide to choose. Art Knapp Surrey Garden Centre has specialists on staff to help you find which plants will work best in your garden, and which insects will be attracted to which plants.

Aphids.
Aphids attack a wide range of ornamental plants, causing leaves to curl and twist. These insects will be found in clusters or colonies on stems and the underside of leaves. Aphids can occur on roses and peonies but are naturally controlled by natural predators such as ladybugs.

Caterpillars.
A wide variety of caterpillars attack many ornamental plants. Most cause chewing damage on leaves and new shoots. Caterpillars are found on garden plants with lush leafy growth like hydrangea and can be also found on fruit trees.

Mealy Bugs.
These scale-like insects have a soft scale that is covered in white, powdery wax. They feed on the sap of plants and produce honeydew on all parts of plants. A wide-variety of plants can host mealy-bugs such as ornamentals, houseplants and fruits.

Natural Insect Repellants.
Some of the garden herbs available at Art Knapp Surrey are natural insect repellents. Herbs distribute tiny amounts of essentials oils, which can repel insects such as mosquitos and house flies. Basil, lavender, lemongrass and mint can be strategically placed in your garden or patio to help keep your other plants insect free.

Certain ornamental flowers can help keep plant-eating insects to a minimum. Chrysanthamums, marigolds and petunias can be described as nature’s pesticides. Sprinkling some of these flowers amongst your other plants can create a kind of eco-friendly insect barrier.

Your garden centre staff can educate you on the combination plant varieties for your garden to keep insects that come with certain plants at bay.