Landscaping does a lot for your home, such as enhancing its curb appeal and providing your family with lovely outdoor spaces to enjoy. Unfortunately, here in CT, mosquitoes can sometimes spoil your outdoor fun, requiring you to use chemical repellent on your skin or treat your lawn with insecticides. Before you turn to an inconvenient and uncomfortable chemical solution to keep your yard mosquito-free, consider natural CT landscaping that repels mosquitoes. With a little guidance, you can select hardy plants that survive CT weather and also keep mosquitoes at bay.

For durable landscaping that thrives  in the Connecticut climate, you’ll typically choose plants with a hardiness zone from 5b up to 7b. (Although plants ideal for other hardiness zones can do well if other requirements are met, such as moisture, light and soil composition.) Consider these plants to help make your outside space more pleasant and mosquito-free:

Citronella: You may have some citronella candles around your porch, but you’ll get a stronger odor from the actual plant. Its smell effectively covers up other odors that attract mosquitoes. Citronella is a grass that can be either planted in your Connecticut garden or yard (where there is proper drainage and lots of sun) or grown in pots placed on your patio. The fragrant, clumping perennial can grow up to 6 feet.

Catnip: Another perennial (a relative of mint) that you may have heard of, but perhaps haven’t grown personally, is catnip. As you are likely aware, catnip may attract the neighborhood cats while repelling mosquitoes.

Phenomenal Lavender: Landscaping with lavender in your garden or in pots to enjoy the lingering, lovely smell, while you also prevent mosquitoes from ruining your well-earned backyard leisure. Lavender scents encourage a good night’s sleep and keep moths away too. Make a lavender potpourri from dried buds to keep moths from your closets and clothing.

Marigolds: Mosquitoes hate the scent of marigolds, almost as much as most people love the sight of these flowers in Connecticut landscaping. Marigolds are annuals that need lots of sun and proper drainage. Pot them up and place them near your patio door and backyard party area. Marigolds also help protect any tomatoes you’re growing from insects, while attracting pollinators.

Peppermint: In concentrated form, peppermint can kill mosquito larvae. For best results in deterring mosquitoes, some people rub the leaves on their skin or use essential oils. Don’t do this if you are, or suspect that you may be, allergic.

Basil: This fragrant herb is good to have for spontaneous pesto recipes—and it’s also handy for repelling mosquitoes. The most effective types are cinnamon and lemon. A definite plus: The herb need not be crushed (as many of the other plants listed here might) to have the desired mosquito-discouraging effect.

Geraniums: These lovely flowers attract bees and bring in butterflies, but the hardy Wargrave Pink and Double Jewel varieties also ward off mosquitoes in Connecticut.

When you choose your plants carefully, you can incorporate practical benefits into the beauty of your landscape design. For expert advice, call on Clean Cut Landscaping. We keep outdoor spaces looking good throughout Connecticut, so contact us today.