Enhance Your Garden with Flower-Vegetable Pairings: A Practical Guide

Combining flowers with vegetables in your garden isn’t just beautiful—it’s a smart way to boost pollination, deter pests, and create a resilient ecosystem. With thoughtful pairings, you can enjoy a garden that’s as functional as it is vibrant. Here’s a step-by-step guide to choosing and growing the perfect flowering companions for your veggie patch.

Marigolds and Tomatoes: A Pest-Repelling Duo

Marigolds are well-known for their ability to ward off pests like nematodes and whiteflies. To protect your tomatoes naturally, plant marigolds around the edges of your tomato bed. Choose a variety of marigolds with strong pest-repellent properties, like French or African marigolds. Keep the plants well-spaced to ensure your tomatoes get plenty of light and airflow.

Pro Tip: Deadhead marigolds regularly to encourage continuous blooms throughout the growing season.

Nasturtiums and Brassicas: Colourful Defence

Nasturtiums act as a natural trap crop, luring aphids and cabbage moths away from brassicas like broccoli and kale. To make the most of this pairing, plant nasturtiums in clusters at the borders of your brassica bed. Their bright blooms add charm while protecting your harvest.

Pro Tip: Nasturtium leaves and flowers are edible and make a peppery addition to salads.

Calendula and Squash: Pollinator Magnets

Calendula is a pollinator’s favourite, attracting beneficial insects while discouraging pests. It pairs wonderfully with squash and pumpkins, helping ensure better fruit set. Sow calendula seeds around your squash early in the season to establish a thriving underlayer of blooms.

Pro Tip: Harvest calendula flowers for homemade skincare remedies or teas, taking advantage of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Borage and Strawberries: Sweet Success

Borage improves strawberry health and yield by drawing in pollinators and repelling pests. Its star-shaped, edible blue flowers are a delightful addition to your garden. Interplant borage with strawberries, leaving space for both plants to spread.

Pro Tip: Borage is a self-seeding annual, so once established, it often returns year after year.

Sunflowers and Corn: A Natural Support System

Sunflowers provide windbreaks and attract pollinators to your corn. They also offer natural trellising for climbing beans, creating a dynamic and space-efficient garden setup. Plant sunflowers at the northern edge of your garden to prevent shading your crops.

Pro Tip: Opt for multi-headed sunflower varieties to extend their blooming season and keep the pollinators coming.

Sweet Alyssum and Leafy Greens: Living Mulch

Sweet alyssum’s low-growing habit makes it an excellent living mulch for crops like lettuce and carrots. It attracts hoverflies, which prey on aphids, while also helping to regulate soil temperature. Sow alyssum seeds between rows of leafy greens for the best effect.

Pro Tip: Sweet alyssum thrives in cooler weather, so it’s an ideal companion for spring and autumn gardens.

Lavender and Eggplants: A Fragrant Partnership

Lavender’s aromatic blooms repel moths and mosquitoes while inviting bees to your garden. Pair it with eggplants to create a pest-resistant, pollinator-friendly area. Plant lavender at the edges of your eggplant bed, ensuring both have plenty of sunlight.

Pro Tip: Harvest lavender for drying and use it in homemade sachets or culinary dishes.

Cosmos and Cucumbers: Space-Savvy Allies

Cosmos attract bees and butterflies, which are crucial for cucumber pollination. Their airy growth habit complements cucumbers without crowding them. Scatter cosmos seeds around your cucumber vines for a balanced garden design.

Pro Tip: Cosmos thrive in poor soil, making them a low-maintenance addition to your garden.

Zinnias and Capsicums: A Bold Combination

Zinnias are vibrant, easy-to-grow flowers that bring pollinators to your capsicum plants. They also act as a visual deterrent to pests. Plant zinnias in front of your capsicum rows to add both beauty and productivity to your garden.

Pro Tip: Remove spent zinnia blooms to keep the plants flowering throughout the season.

Dill and Cucumbers: Aromatic Guardians

Dill attracts beneficial insects and deters cucumber beetles, making it an excellent companion for cucumbers and onions. It also improves the flavour of your cucumbers. Plant dill near your cucumber trellis and allow some of it to flower for maximum pest control.

Pro Tip: Harvest dill leaves regularly for culinary use and leave some to mature for seeds.

Pairing flowers with vegetables enhances your garden’s beauty and productivity. These combinations are not only practical but also create a welcoming habitat for beneficial insects. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and explore how flower-vegetable pairings can transform your garden into a thriving, beautiful oasis. At Strathalbyn H Hardware, we’re here to support you every step of the way, whether you’re tackling your first DIY project or expanding your gardening expertise.

If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to visit us in-store or get in touch—we’d love to help bring your garden dreams to life.

Happy gardening,
Candeece Falland
Owner, Strathalbyn H Hardware