Slug resistant plant ideas

[kinkytoes]

Need to fill some gaps in my beds this year. Terrible slug/snail problem in my garden though. What don't they eat? Would prefer native (UK) species and also those which attract bees.

Make space for a pond and the frogs would control the slugs.

Great idea and I'd love to but it's a very small garden (plus have no time to put one in this year). No hedgehogs or other natural predators to speak of either, and I am opposed to using poison of any kind. I already have Campanula which seems to do well despite the pests, wondered if there are any more like that.

Basically, anything that is tough, hairy or very aromatic should do ok - things like lavender and most herbs, euphorbias, alchemilla, geraniums, ferns. There's a useful list and some good advice here though not all species are native. If you have an open fire or log burner then wood ash around the base of vulnerable plants can also be a good deterrent.

Cerinthe is slug resistant. Lovely plants, seem to go with everything. I've been admiring them in a nearby front garden. Beautiful foliage all winter because it was so mild and started flowering again in March (we live in Essex). Bought seeds and so far growing well.

Apparently they avoid pennies

Thank you for the suggestions! Time for a visit to the garden centre I think.

Just a note for the future, we have a small garden and have a tiny pond - only 2 feet diameter - and it is full of frog/toad spawn at the moment. They work hard during the summer to sort out my slug problem. I also refuse to use poison/chemicals.

When it gets to bedding plant time I've found that geraniums, petunias and lobelia are left untouched.

Through bitter experience the plants that survive best in my slug-infested garden are; hardy fuchsias, osteos, crocosmia, polemonium, lavender, gladioli, heuchera and hardy geraniums.

Generally I find perennials are best because, if I can nurse them through the first year (sticking copper tape on plastic rings cut from lemonade bottles and putting them around the young plants helps), they're tough enough to withstand some slug damage in later years!

They love marigolds so i didn't plant anymore again. Instead I tried bedding begonias with thick shiny leaves and small flowers which bloom no matter the weather - wet, dry, sun or no sun- and they left them alone.

Keep the garden free of empty pots and large dead leaves that slugs and snails love to hide under. Perennial Gernaniums are my favorite slug and snail resistant plants try Anne Folkhard ( a beautiful Magenta colour ) or Roxanne.

I have done a little post about some of the plants that work for me

kidsinthegarden.co.uk/my-top-10-slug-and-snail-free-plants/

Thanks people, lots of food for thought here. Those slugs will hopefully want to move out this year

You could also use nematodes, or the organic ferric phosphate slug pellets that don't harm pets or wildlife?