Battling with aphids (greenfly) in the garden? Commercially available insecticides often contain a chemical called pyrethrum which is derived from nature. Rather than buying bottles of commercially prepared and potentially hazardous chemicals, you can harness the power of nature in deterring greenfly just by some clever planting.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a pretty daisy-like plant that contains pyrethrins – very similar to the chemicals in commercial sprays. Plant Feverfew amongst your flowers and it’s presence will deter the little insect marauders. 
Golden feverfew is a pretty plant in its own right – as the name suggests its foliage is a yellow/golden colour – and all plants will readily self-seed all over the garden if you allow them to. (This plant is also used as a traditional herbal remedy for migraine).
Whilst it is possible to make your own insecticidal spray or powder from these plants I wouldn’t advise it as it is toxic to bees. In its plant form it seems to work well enough for me and does no harm to bees. Some sources claim that it will deter bees from the garden, although I have never found this to be the case and have often seen bees visiting the feverfew flowers.
Contact me: celcelore[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
4 Comments
May 30, 2009 at 9:29 am
I love aphids and butterfly.
May 30, 2009 at 10:06 am
Hi Beth,
If you say butterflies then I’m with you…but aphids?!! I guess you won’t be planting Feverfew around your flower beds any time soon then!
June 14, 2009 at 6:53 am
[...] tips specifically on controlling aphids/greenfly can be found on my page here. For general gardening tips and advice please go to my House/General index. Possibly related [...]
June 14, 2009 at 3:47 pm
[...] pest control, 2 Jump to Comments I’ve already covered planting to deter aphids and encouraging toads into the garden to munch away slugs, snails and other garden pests. [...]