Plants slugs don't like

Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 137 Location: Trowbridge

20 top slug-beaters

The following plants seem to be most resistant to slugs. Of course, resistance does not mean immunity, but if you pick from this list, it's a satisfying way to repell slugs without extra cost, effort or chemical side effects.

* Aquilegias
* Astilbes
* Astrantias
* Begonias
* Crocosmias
* Euphorbias
* Ferns
* Fuchsias
* Grasses
* Hardy geraniums
* Hellebores
* Hydrangeas
* Japanese anemones
* Lady's mantle
* Lavenders
* Lilium henryi
* Pelargoniums
* Penstemons
* Roses
* Sedums

Top tips for foiling slugs

Don't overfeed young plants in spring, as this only encourages soft growth, which slugs love to eat.

Try to water the garden in the morning, rather than the evening, as trails of water over the garden create night-time slug highways. Water at the roots if possible, or dip potted plants in buckets of water.

Piles of sweet bran under hostas creates something of a mollusc free-for-all at night. Then just pick them off the piles in the morning.

You could grow a sacrificial offering, perhaps a tasty lettuce or two, in your borders, and ensure you regularly pick off the culprits.

Encourage natural predators. Plant trees to act as roosts, and berry-producing plants, such as holly, to entice thrushes into the garden. Create a pond to provide a habitat for frogs, newts and toads, all of which consume unfeasibly high numbers of slugs each night.

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 84

Slugs! love them or hate them. they are beautiful, some with orange frills round the bottom, some with leopard skin patterns, and some, black and shiny like liquorice. If only they didnt eat things.

I'd like to add bell flowers - campanile, some varieties at least. the leathery leaved plants seem too tough or bitter. Daisies - again ones with leathery leaves. shrubs such as euonymous, ivies, bulbs - never had a slug eat a crocus in my garden.

I like the tips about growing things hard. Also, leave a lot of space round things or grow enough to spare some for the slugs.

flo