Flowers in the Garden as Companion Plants
People tend to think of flowers and vegetables as belonging to distinctly different types of gardens, but in fact they thrive when grown together. Flowers not only add beauty, they attract beneficial insects and repel certain pests. Many are edible as well, such as this young squash blossom. Flowers are used as companion plants in nearly all of Verdura's organic vegetable garden designs.
Marigolds, for example, deter whiteflies and kill root nematodes. Nasturtium is edible and improves the growth and flavor of cucumbers. And borage is one of the best garden bee attractants, in addition to repelling tomato hornworms and cabbage worms.
