I've been wondering if anyone has tried or knows anything about companion planting with brugs for virus tolerance, insect resistence, etc. I know that some plants are supposed to have a beneficial effect on other plants that they grow with. Yarrow, marjoram/orageno, & thyme are called "physician plants" & are supposed to "heal" sick plants they are grow near/with. Does anyone know if these herbs might be able to destroy viruses?
I have no iodea about effects against viruses. I have grown Cuban Oregano in brug pots & it seems to repell insects fairly well. It is a very fragrant-leaved ground-cover vine that looks & smells like a variegated, fuzzy Plectranthus of some kind.
Wouldn't it be difficult to grow some of the insect repelling herbs close to Brugs because the herbs like a drier environment than Brugs, no? Sure would be nice to be able to discourage some of the lil critters from chewing on the Brug leaves!!
Los Angeles County, CA
Hardy Zone:9B
Heat Zone:8/9
One of the things I'm hoping for is definitely a more biodynamic pest repellent. If it's effective it would make life alot easier without all the spraying, especially here in AZ, where the summers are hot & dry. I haven't had a summer here, but I'm sure the mites & aphids love it... I think the mints would probably handle brug growing conditions better than some other herbs, but the only thing I know of that they deter is ants, not a big problem with brugs. Hey Al, is Cuban Oregano a true oregano?
I always grow chocolate mint under my brugs and in some other plants too. It sort of works like an indicator plant in the summer. Mint wilts a little before the brugs = time to water. When the mint gets to vigorous I pull some out and give it to my husband for his mojitos lol.
I also have under planted with caladiums in the past. The caladiums get shade from the brugs and don't seem to mind the water and fertilizer. White ones are good for moon gardens. If you live somewhere that is cold and you dig up your brugs you can take the caladiums up with them in the same pot and let them dry up dormant just like the brugs. Replant the whole thing in the spring etc. In zone 9 and up just leave them all in the ground. Not sure about zn 8 and caladiums though.
I wouldnt put elephant ears (related to caladiums) in with brugs unless they were a mini type, because they are too aggressive and get to big. Maybe in a huge flower bed they might be okay.
I've read that most bugs don't like alyssum and they would look nice under the brugs. I know it's more a sun plant, but it's done well for me in the shade too.
I have some really tiny purple alyssum growing in the pot as ground cover for my tropical hibiscus tree form. It did great but never got very tall though.
