Prevent Mosquitoes With These Practical Plants

7. Monarda (bee balm)

The minty scent of this perennial keeps mosquitoes away. Available in dynamic shades of red, purple, and white, bee balm encourages visits from bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies to your garden. Dwarf varieties grow to about 12 inches high, while others reach a height of four feet. They prefer full sun, moist soil, and require removal of dead flower heads to encourage continued blossoms into the fall. Although powdery mildew is an issue for monarda, varieties such as “Claire Grace” and “Gardenview Scarlet” have a strong resistance to it.