Slugs and snails can wreak havoc in British gardens, devastating flower beds and leaving large holes in leaves and foliage. These pests become more active during wet conditions and are drawn to gardens offering plentiful food and places to hide.
While steering clear of harsh chemicals is often preferred, gardening expert Matt James has highlighted a straightforward natural deterrent. In a video for Waitrose and Partners, he suggested establishing a “slug-free border” using plant varieties that these gastropods tend to avoid.
He advised: “You just need to use plants which have got characteristics that slugs don’t like. Slugs and snails aren’t partial to plants with thick waxy leaves, plants with furry or hairy leaves, or plants with spiky leaves.”
Agapanthus
Plants detested by slugs and snails include Agapanthus, recognised for their robust, tough leaves off-putting to the critters. The ‘Best in Show’ variant is especially notable for its striking white blooms that emerge from June to October, reports the Express.
Lavender
Lavender, another slug-repellent plant, possesses “strongly aromatic leaves” according to Matt, which the molluscs find odious. Its woody stems and oily foliage likewise repel both slugs and snails. With many types of lavender available, each one offers a delightful fragrance and copious nectar-rich flowers beloved by pollinators.
Persicaria
A member of the hardy knotweed family, persicaria are known for their resilient, leather-like leaves that fail to appeal to the taste of slugs and snails. Persicaria affinis is a favoured pick, boasting delicate pale pink blooms from June to August.
Sedum Purple Emperor
This deciduous perennial plant features purple leaves and dark red stems, flowering from August to October, making it an ideal choice for autumnal hues. The star-shaped flowers are a hit with pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Interestingly, slugs and snails aren’t fans of sedums due to their thick, fleshy leaves that prove challenging to navigate.
Sea Holly Picos Amethyst
Native to the Mediterranean, this eye-catching plant showcases stunning blue-purple thistle flowers, best suited for sunny borders. The ‘Picos Amethyst’ variety is both drought-tolerant and perennial, making it perfectly adapted to the UK’s unpredictable summer weather.