Alan Titchmarsh shares his favorite slug-proof plants like dryopteris ferns and geraniums, perfect for shady areas. Learn about resilient plant varieties like penstemons and fuchsias with hairy leaves to keep slugs away. Discover tips for caring for these plants for a beautiful, slug-free garden.
Plants like geraniums and alchemilla have hairy or downy leaves to deter slugs and snails.
Penstemons, resembling foxgloves, are elegant flowers that grow to knee height and are resistant to pests.
Deep dives
Slug and Snail Resistant Plants
Some plants like geraniums and alchemilla, commonly known as ladies mantle, are not preferred by slugs and snails due to their hairy or downy leaves. Geraniums, particularly varieties like patricia, and alchemilla, with their unique water-holding leaf surfaces, provide beautiful blooms while deterring these pests. Additionally, penstemons, elegant flowers that resemble foxgloves, are another slug and snail resistant option, typically growing to knee height in shades like white, pink, and deep crimson, such as the blackbird variety.
Gardening Favorites
Alan Tichmarsh shares his admiration for specific plants that thrive in gardens and avoid slug and snail attacks. He highlights ferns, like dryopteris, as a suitable choice for shady and dry spots, along with the reliable hardy geraniums that bloom abundantly. The conversation extends to the unique characteristics of alchemilla with its frothy yellow-green flowers and penstemons that offer elegant, colorful blooms throughout the summer season. By selecting these preferred plants, slug and snail problems in gardens can be significantly minimized.