Use nature's beauty to foil annoying mosquitoes.
Imagine enjoying a warm summer day in a backyard virtually free of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes disrupt outdoor activities by biting humans and animals. Some mosquitoes even transmit disease. You cannot get rid of all these flying pests. You can plant flowers that mosquitoes hate and minimize their numbers. Does this Spark an idea?
Marigolds
The marigold is an edible flower that thrives in warm, dry climates and repels mosquitoes. Marigolds are annual flowers. Annual flowers, also known as bedding plants, are flowers whose blossoms display bright colors all season. When planting marigolds, you do not need to provide light for the seeds. Instead, many gardeners cover marigold seeds with vermiculite to give them moisture Marigolds display white, red, gold, yellow or orange blossoms, depending on the plant.
Lantanas
When you see a lantana flower, you might think of a spring bouquet. This mosquito-repelling plant displays vibrant colors ranging from red to orange. Some plants even reveal traces of blue and white. The leaves of a lantana flower emit a pungent odor if you bruise them. Unlike marigolds, lantanas are toxic. Some popular varieties include weeping white, Texas flame and new gold. This plant works well in containers, and it makes an excellent hanging basket flower.
Chrysanthemums
One of the hardest flowers to spell is also one of the most beautiful. Mosquitoes avoid this edible plant as well. Graced with a variety of red, purple gold and white hues, the chrysanthemum makes a colorful addition to any garden or yard. The sun tells this flower when to blossom. Its internal clock is light-sensitive. This causes the chrysanthemum to bloom in autumn, beginning in the middle of August and ending when the first frost arrives. Many garden store chrysanthemums last throughout the winter with little need for protection.
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