Coral Bells

Pests & beneficial insects

🐛 Prone to: Aphids

Aphids

Aphididae

Curled leaves, sticky honeydew and ants on patrol — usually with something already eating them.

.

Attract Hoverflies

Hoverflies

Syrphidae

The adults only drink nectar. It is the larvae that eat the aphids.

, Lacewings

Lacewings

Chrysopidae

Golden-eyed adults that mostly drink; larvae that hunt like small alligators.

, Ladybugs

Ladybugs

Coccinellidae

The one predator here where the adults hunt as hard as the larvae do.

, Parasitic wasps

Parasitic wasps

Braconidae, Ichneumonidae and relatives

Pinhead-sized, stingless, and lethal to aphids and caterpillars from the inside.

to keep them in check — plant African MarigoldGreat, AngelicaGreat and AniseGreat nearby.

🌼 Beneficial companion — draws Hoverflies

Hoverflies

Syrphidae

The adults only drink nectar. It is the larvae that eat the aphids.

that help control Aphids

Aphids

Aphididae

Curled leaves, sticky honeydew and ants on patrol — usually with something already eating them.

, Thrips

Thrips

Thysanoptera

Silvery streaking with black specks — the specks are how you tell them from mites.

on neighbouring plants.

Companion Planting

• 
  Blue Sage
  

  Blue SageExcellent pair

  • ❧Blue Sage attracts Hoverflies and Parasitic wasps, which prey on the Aphids that attack Coral Bells
  • ❧Blue Sage draws Bees and Bumblebees and more that improve pollination for both
  • ❧Blue Sage roots deep while Coral Bells feeds near the surface — no competition
• 
  Cleveland Sage
  

  Cleveland SageExcellent pair

  • ❧Cleveland Sage attracts Hoverflies and Parasitic wasps, which prey on the Aphids that attack Coral Bells
  • ❧Cleveland Sage draws Bees and Bumblebees and more that improve pollination for both
  • ❧Cleveland Sage roots deep while Coral Bells feeds near the surface — no competition
• 
  Lovage
  

  LovageExcellent pair

  • ❧Lovage attracts Hoverflies and Lacewings and more, which prey on the Aphids that attack Coral Bells
  • ❧Lovage draws Bees and Bumblebees and more that improve pollination for both
  • ❧Lovage roots deep while Coral Bells feeds near the surface — no competition

How to grow Coral Bells

1. Space30 cm apart
2. GrowPartial sun

Water: Medium · Height: 30 cm · Soil: Well-draining soil; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH