Do ground cover plants attract pests or insects?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Insects interact with ground cover shade plants, such as Pachysandra and Ajuga, in a variety of ways. While there is potential to feed bees with the blooms of these ground covers, there are certain species that possess pest bugs. Although it was wee, I watched the rapid demise of a live landscape bed in Pachysandra that was affected by scale insects; one treatment from neem oil, combined with appropriate cultural practice, made that planting great again. It is all about balance.
Beneficial Insects
- Tiarella cordifolia attracts early-spring mining bees
- Sedum ternatum hosts predatory beetles that eat aphids
- Mitchella repens berries feed overwintering birds
Common Pests
- Pachysandra: Vulnerable to scale insects and volutella blight
- Vinca minor: Attracts aphids in poorly drained soil
- Galium odoratum: Slugs target young growth in wet conditions
The condition of the soil influences resistance to pest infestations. Soil compaction causes plants, such as Ophiopogon, to become stressed, making them more susceptible to mite populations. I recommended aerating the soil and applying compost to a client's Ophiopogon infestation, and the mite populations dropped 80% within two months. Healthy plants will outcompete pests on their own with proper soil health.
Developing walkthroughs with pest barriers. Pachysandra interplanted with Allium karataviense, a plant with a garlic scent that repels scale insects. I've used Ajuga with Thymus serpyllum under my deck as a barrier against slugs and this worked better than any chemical treatment. Thoughtful arrangements of plants can help to reduce your reliance on sprays and chemicals.
The impact on ecologies is significant. Invasive Vinca minor hosted 3x fewer ladybugs than native Asarum canadense. A client substituted vinca for asarum, and ladybugs increased in numbers for natural pest control. We have more evidence that native plants aid in better habitats and contribute to natural pest control with good native insect populations.
Read the full article: 10 Best Ground Cover Shade Plants
