The plant's own snail defense
Some garden plants survive a snail invasion unimpressed, even if humans do not intervene to protect them. Hardly anything remains of other plants. Why is that?
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Plants are intelligent inhabitants of the earth, and many of them can defend themselves against pests. When snails get on them, they have to do with the following defensive measures, among others:
- toxic ingredients
- inedible and difficult to digest substances
- hairy leaves, stinging hairs or spines
The "tasteless" specimens
Even some plants that are not poisonous and have nothing else to deter them are spared from any snail plague as if by magic.
The snails are not impressed by the beauty of the flowers; they only choose the plants according to their preferred taste. Observations repeatedly confirm that many plant species ignore them.
Do we have to help the joint flower?
Joint flower
, which botanically belongs to Physostegia virginiana, is a strongly flowering perennial that has nothing to do with thorny leaves. Toxic substances are also alien to her. Is that why she is at the mercy of the snails without our help?No, the joint flower can keep its leaves and flowers. Unlike us humans, snails are not interested in them. No matter what time of year and where the flower thrives, it is always snail-proof. Even if there is no “snail food” growing nearby.
Alternative for checkered gardens
Although many control measures have proven to be effective in practice, snails still pose a threat to our plants. Until they are discovered and the measures take effect, they are busy eating their way through the garden.
If you keep struggling with snail plagues, you don't have to worry about at least a piece of your garden by planting joint flowers. This step is not hard to miss, because wonderful flowers are waiting as a reward.