A Guide to Flowers That Are Good to Plant Near Different Fruit Trees
Planting flowers near fruit trees is an excellent way to enhance your orchard’s productivity and beauty. Flowers attract pollinators, deter pests, and improve soil health, all of which contribute to better fruit yields. Different fruit trees benefit from specific companion flowers based on their needs. Here’s a florist guide to the best flowers to plant near various fruit trees.
1. Apple Trees (Malus domestica)
Apple trees require good pollination and pest protection. Companion flowers should attract bees while deterring pests like aphids and codling moths.
✅ Best Flowers:
Lavender (Lavandula) – Attracts bees and repels pests.
Marigolds (Tagetes) – Deters nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies.
Chives & Garlic Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Repel apple maggots and aphids.
Borage (Borago officinalis) – Attracts pollinators and improves soil health.
🌱 Planting Tip: Grow marigolds in a ring around apple trees to prevent pests from reaching the roots.
2. Pear Trees (Pyrus spp.)
Pear trees benefit from flowers that bring in pollinators and prevent fungal diseases.
✅ Best Flowers:
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) – Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings, which feed on pear pests.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) – Draws in ladybugs that help control aphids.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) – Repels pests and improves soil quality.
Clover (Trifolium repens) – Fixes nitrogen in the soil, promoting healthy pear growth.
🌱 Planting Tip: Allow clover to grow as a living mulch beneath the pear tree to suppress weeds and enrich the soil.
3. Cherry Trees (Prunus avium & Prunus cerasus)
Cherry trees are prone to aphids and fungal diseases. Flowers that attract predatory insects and provide biodiversity work best.
✅ Best Flowers:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Attracts hoverflies that eat aphids.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – Improves soil by drawing up nutrients from deep within the ground.
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) – Act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from cherry trees.
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) – Attracts pollinators and supports biodiversity.
🌱 Planting Tip: Interplant nasturtiums around cherry trees to control aphid populations naturally.
4. Peach & Nectarine Trees (Prunus persica & Prunus nucipersica)
Peach and nectarine trees are susceptible to pests like borers and aphids, as well as fungal infections.
✅ Best Flowers:
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) – Deters borers and ants.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) – Enhances tree health and deters fungal issues.
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) – Attract beneficial insects such as predatory wasps.
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) – Bring in butterflies and bees for better pollination.
🌱 Planting Tip: Grow chamomile under peach trees to boost natural disease resistance.
5. Plum Trees (Prunus domestica)
Plum trees need protection from aphids and fungal infections. Flowers that attract beneficial insects can help maintain tree health.
✅ Best Flowers:
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) – A valuable early nectar source for bees.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – Attracts predatory wasps that control pests.
Borage (Borago officinalis) – Encourages pollination and deters common plum pests.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) – Repels aphids and whiteflies.
🌱 Planting Tip: Allow dandelions to bloom early in the season before mowing to support pollinators before fruit tree blossoms appear.
6. Citrus Trees (Orange, Lemon, Lime, and Grapefruit)
Citrus trees need flowers that encourage pollination and deter pests like citrus leaf miners.
✅ Best Flowers:
Petunias (Petunia spp.) – Naturally repel aphids and other citrus pests.
Marigolds (Tagetes) – Reduce soil nematodes that harm citrus roots.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – Helps repel whiteflies and supports fruiting.
Lavender (Lavandula) – Attracts bees and butterflies while repelling pests.
🌱 Planting Tip: Grow basil and marigolds under citrus trees to improve soil health and repel unwanted insects.
7. Fig Trees (Ficus carica)
Figs need flowers that provide biodiversity and attract pollinators, even though they are often pollinated by specific wasps.
✅ Best Flowers:
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – Encourages pollinators and improves biodiversity.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) – A favorite of bees and hummingbirds.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Provides nectar late in the season, keeping beneficial insects active.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) – Attracts hoverflies that prey on pests.
🌱 Planting Tip: Scatter wildflowers near fig trees to maintain a thriving ecosystem of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Final Tips for Planting Flowers Near Fruit Trees
Choose flowers that bloom at different times to provide pollinators with a constant source of nectar.
Plant in clusters for a more substantial visual impact and better attraction of bees and butterflies.
Avoid invasive plants that compete with fruit trees for nutrients.
Use organic mulch around flowers and trees to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Rotate flowering plants each year to maintain soil fertility and prevent disease buildup.
By incorporating the right flowers around your fruit trees, you can boost pollination, repel harmful pests, and create a more vibrant and productive orchard. Whether you’re growing apples, citrus, or cherries, selecting the right companion flowers will contribute to a healthier and more sustainable garden.
