Photo courtesy of Photodigs at flickr.com.
The chrysanthemum relative known as feverfew, an “antique” flower resembling a small daisy that’s often found in old gardens, is best known as an herb used for fever reduction, headaches, and digestive problems.
Modern studies indicate that it works no better than a placebo for those ailments, but one thing that it certainly does is repel insects. The foliage (not the flowers) exudes a citrus-like scent that aphids, ants, and similar pests can’t abide. Feverfew is self-sowing, spreads quickly, and makes an excellent and attractive companion for other flowers, particular foxglove and roses.
Be sure to pinch it back to keep it from getting leggy, and deadhead it regularly to avoid volunteer seedlings next year.
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After reading this post I wondered what I already had in the garden that could possibly be a natural insect repellent. My mind immediately turned to our perilla plant, which has held its own against nibbling insects who have no problem with our genovese basil and asian greens. Perilla has a really unique scent which I can’t quite put into words, other than if I were an insect…I wouldn’t want to be munching on that!