Not always. Many beneficial insects are mobile and will move around searching for food, mates, or shelter. However, you can encourage them to stay by planting a continuous succession of blooming plants, offering water and habitat, and avoiding disturbances like over-tilling or spraying chemicals.
Yes, most beneficial insects are completely harmless to humans and animals. Insects like ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, fireflies, and predatory mites do not sting or bite. Even bees and parasitic wasps are generally non-aggressive and only sting when provoked. With proper respect and limited disturbance, they are safe to have in family gardens.
You can attract beneficial insects by planting a wide range of pollen- and nectar-rich flowers, especially native species. Herbs like dill, fennel, parsley, coriander, and flowering plants like alyssum, sunflowers, yarrow, and marigolds are particularly effective. Avoid using chemical pesticides, as they can kill helpful insects. Providing water sources and undisturbed shelter, like leaf litter or mulch, also encourages them to stay.
While you can purchase beneficial insects (like ladybugs or predatory mites) online or at garden centers, many will naturally find your garden if the environment is right. Planting insect-friendly flowers, reducing pesticide use, and providing habitat can encourage them to come and reproduce on their own.
Beneficial insects directly help your garden by controlling pests or pollinating plants. Neutral insects don’t harm or help—they’re simply present in the ecosystem. It’s important to learn to identify both so you don’t accidentally eliminate harmless or helpful species.
Absolutely. Bees, including honeybees and native bees, are gentle and non-aggressive when left undisturbed. They typically only sting in self-defense, such as when their hive is threatened. Educating children not to swat or disturb bees and planting flowers away from play areas helps ensure a peaceful coexistence.
Although salt can kill snails by dehydrating them, it is not recommended for garden use. Salt can damage the soil, harm plant roots, and affect beneficial soil organisms. It’s best to stick to safer alternatives like diatomaceous earth, beer traps, and crushed eggshells that target snails without harming your garden’s ecosystem.
Yes, coffee grounds are a popular natural method to deter slugs and snails. The texture and caffeine content are unpleasant to these pests. They’re generally safe for most plants and can even enrich the soil with nutrients. However, they may increase soil acidity, so use them in moderation around plants that prefer neutral or alkaline soil.
Snails and slugs prefer soft, tender vegetation, especially young seedlings, lettuce, spinach, basil, and strawberries. However, if populations are high, they may begin feeding on a broader range of plants, including root vegetables and even woody stems. Slugs eat a variety of plant tissues and can devastate a garden if left unchecked.
Copper reacts with the slime that snails and slugs produce, causing a mild electric shock that repels them. This won’t harm the pests, but they will avoid crossing copper surfaces. Copper tape can be wrapped around planters, garden beds, and containers to form a safe and effective barrier.
Absolutely. Many gardeners successfully keep slugs and snails away using natural methods like handpicking, setting traps, spreading crushed eggshells or coffee grounds, and using copper tape. Additionally, improving garden drainage and watering in the morning will make your vegetable garden less attractive to these pests.
No—small container ponds with a few aquatic plants can still attract dragonflies and support larvae development, saving space while achieving great results.
While no single solution fully removes mosquitoes, combining dragonfly habitat with standing water management and these plants can significantly reduce mosquito populations.
Most—like swamp milkweed, arrowhead, and blue flag iris—are native and ecosystem-friendly. Always check local rules, especially before planting aggressive species like cattails.
Alright, let's talk about one of my all-time favorite summer bloomers—Angelonia! These plants are often called summer snapdragons and are known for their tall spikes of colorful flowers, which can range from white and pink to purple and blue. They’re heat-tolerant, low-maintenance, and bloom from late spring straight through to fall—seriously, what’s not to love?
Let me just throw in a quick fun fact: the flowers of Angelonia have a mild, sweet fragrance, kind of like a whisper of perfume on a summer breeze. It’s subtle, but it’s there, adding another layer to why these plants are so delightful.
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of Angelonia care, let’s fill in some essential details:
There are a few standout Angelonia varieties that I’ve personally had great success with, and I’d recommend them to anyone.
This series is perfect for small garden spaces or containers as they are compact but pack a punch with their vibrant colors. I’ve grown the purple and white varieties, and they’re gorgeous. The lavender is on my wish list for next year because who doesn’t love a bit more lavender in their life?
If you’re looking to make a statement, ‘Archangel’ is your go-to. These plants are a bit taller and have larger flowers. I once planted the cherry red variety in a bed right by my front door, and it was like rolling out the red carpet every time I came home. The raspberry and blue colors are just as striking—I’m pretty sure my neighbors were jealous.
‘AngelMist’ is the versatile one who fits in anywhere—garden beds, containers, you name it. They come in a variety of colors, including this deep, dark purple that’s absolutely stunning. I’ve used them to fill in gaps in my flower borders, and they’ve never let me down.
So, you’ve picked out your Angelonia variety, and now you’re wondering when, where, and how to plant them. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Angelonia should be planted in the spring after the last frost date in your area. These plants thrive in warm temperatures, so waiting until the soil has warmed up is essential for successful growth. If you’re starting from seeds, you’ll want to get those going indoors about 6-8 weeks before the frost-free date. But if you’re like me and sometimes forget to plan ahead (oops!), picking up some healthy seedlings from the garden center is just as good.
Choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. I’ve planted them in garden beds, but they’re also fantastic in containers. If you’re going the container route, place them near a sunny window or in a sunroom where they can soak up the rays
Let’s get down to the dirt—literally. Here’s how to plant your Angelonia, whether you’re starting from seeds or seedlings.
Gently remove the seedling from its nursery pot. Be careful not to disturb the roots too much. Place the seedling into the hole, ensuring it’s planted at the same depth it was in the pot. You want the base of the plant (where the stem meets the soil) to be level with the soil surface.
Once your Angelonia plants are in the ground or containers, it’s time to focus on their care. These plants are relatively low maintenance, but meeting their basic needs will ensure they thrive and bloom all season long.
Angelonia prefers well-drained soil that is loamy or sandy. The key is good drainage, as these plants don’t tolerate soggy soil. If you’ve got heavy clay soil like I do, consider planting them in raised beds or containers. Adding organic matter like compost can help improve soil structure and fertility.
While Angelonia can tolerate some drought, they’ll reward you with more blooms if you keep the soil consistently moist. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water them more frequently, especially if they’re in containers. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
Pro Tip: Water your Angelonia plants early in the day to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal issues.
Angelonia thrives in warm temperatures and can tolerate the summer heat better than many other annuals. They prefer temperatures between 70°F and 90°F during the day and can handle slightly cooler nights. These plants also enjoy moderate to high humidity, which makes them ideal for regions with humid summers.
If you live in a cooler climate, consider growing Angelonia as annuals or bringing containers indoors before the first frost. They don’t tolerate frost and will need protection if temperatures drop significantly.
Full sun is where Angelonia shines—literally. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day to really thrive. If you’ve got a spot in your garden that gets all-day sun, that’s where you’ll want to plant them. In containers, they’ll do great on a sunny patio, balcony, or porch. If growing indoors, choose a south-facing window where the plants can receive plenty of light.
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To keep your plants looking their best, a little maintenance goes a long way. Here are some tips to help you along the way:
Angelonia benefits from regular feeding throughout the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to encourage continuous blooming. If you’re more of a set-it-and-forget-it type, a slow-release granular fertilizer at the start of the season works too. Just remember, more isn’t always better—too much fertilizer can lead to lots of leaves and fewer flowers. Follow the package instructions and avoid applying too much fertilizer.
Here’s some good news: Angelonia doesn’t need deadheading to keep blooming. But if you’re like me and enjoy a tidy garden, you can snip off spent flowers to keep the plant looking neat. Pruning back the plants by about one-third in mid-summer can also promote a bushier growth habit and more flowers.
Applying a layer of mulch around your Angelonia plants can help conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool. Use organic mulch like shredded bark, straw, or compost, and apply it 2-3 inches deep. Just be sure to keep the mulch away from the base of the plant to prevent rot.
If you live in a warm climate (lucky you!), Angelonia can be grown as a perennial. But for the rest of us, we usually treat them as annuals. However, if you’ve fallen in love with your Angelonia and don’t want to say goodbye at the end of the season, you can try overwintering them indoors. Here’s how you can do it:
Angelonia is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but like any plant, it can occasionally face issues. Here’s what to look out for and how to handle it:
A: Angelonia pairs well with other heat-loving and low-maintenance plants. Consider planting them with petunias, marigolds, or lantanas for a colorful, summer display. They also look great with ornamental grasses or other annuals that enjoy similar growing conditions.
A: Absolutely! Angelonia’s trailing varieties are perfect for vertical gardens and hanging baskets. They cascade beautifully and add vibrant color to these setups. Just ensure the containers have good drainage and provide them with plenty of sunlight.
A: One of the rarer varieties is the Angelonia angustifolia ‘Blue Angel,’ which has a striking, deep blue color. It’s less common than the more standard colors but offers a unique and eye-catching hue that stands out in any garden.
