by Colaine Swaby

Created on: August 09, 2008

Mosquito repellent plants for your garden

Many of us try to escape the summertime heat by retreating to our gardens. However the great outdoors might not seem so great because it is rife with many annoying, even dangerous pests. One such pest is the ubiquitous mosquito. Mosquitoes are not only bothersome when they buzz around your ears but the results from their bites can range from bumps and rashes to diseases such as malaria, dengue and the dreaded and sometimes fatal West Nile virus.

But we don't have to be at the mercy of these vile little blood suckers. In an effort to keep these pesky creatures at bay some of us apply potentially dangerous and sometimes ineffective insect repellents to our skin. However, there are certain plants that we can grow in our gardens that work great to repel mosquitoes without the potentially harmful effects of these commercial products (and without the stickiness).

The Mosquito Plant comes immediately to mind. This broad leaf lemony scented plant is a combination of African Geranium and Chinese Citronella. As the name suggest, this geranium hybrid was genetically engineered by a Dutch botanist specifically for the purpose of repelling mosquitoes. The Mosquito Plant can be incorporated into your garden quite quickly as it is easy to grow, whether in pots or in the ground, especially in the warmer seasons. It thrives in full sun and mosquitoes just hate the smell.

Citronella Grass is another great mosquito repellent. This grass, native to Southeast Asia, is a coarse, clump-forming, tropical grass that can grow 5-6 ft tall. Like the Mosquito Plant it thrives in full sun and needs a long, warm growing season to flourish. The Citronella grass is the main source for Citronella oil that is used in candles and sprays which are sold commercially to ward off mosquitoes. A common name for Citronella Grass is Lemon Grass because of the strong lemon scent that it gives off. Other common names include Barbed Wire Grass, Silky Heads and Fever Grass. In addition to warding off pests Citronella Grass is widely used as an herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It is also used by aroma therapy practitioners to calm the mind. So by growing Citronella Grass you can rid yourself of pests and relax in your garden at the same time.

Marigolds are mostly known for their hardiness and beautiful year-round blooms. The Marigold plant comes in a wide variety of colors but mostly in bright orange, yellow, white and pink. They also come in different sizes. These

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