Flowers in greenhouse

[sternyboy]

I've got some marigolds in my greenhouse as I'd heard they help control aphids (not sure how )
Is there any other flowers that can go in there that have benefits?

[kathyd]

Hi sternyboy. I think it's the smell of the marigolds which helps camoflage the smell of tomatoes, and I think certain varieties are meant to be better than others (one of the tagetes or French marigolds), but I can't remember which, soz. I've got calendula / pot marigolds in my polytunnel, mainly because I like them better than the French marigolds and they self-seed freely, and I'm sure I read somewhere that calendula work too!

Nasturtians are another one that people use, to encourage blackfly away from broad beans. They're described as 'sacrificial' plants because the pests eat the flowers instead of the veg. Or that's the theory anyway .

Personally I think that any flowers which attract bees and other pollinating insects are good to have in a gh or tunnel, and I have a few lavenders dotted around in pots at the moment. There are lots of flowers you can eat too - marigolds, nasturtians and lavender amongst them, if you fancy giving them a try.

[rustylady]

Tagetes (french marigolds) are often planted in greenhouses with tomatoes as they discourage whitefly.

[Two_Sheds]

Yep, it's French marigolds, and it's whitefly not aphids

[sternyboy]

So are french marigolds the only flower with a benefit?

[Two_Sheds]

Lots of flowers have different benefits. What are you trying to achieve?

Companion Planting