What Flowers Are Toxic to Slugs?

Annuals

• Slugs don't eat fragrant flowers, thick foliage, hairy or rough laves and stems. Include fragrant annuals among your plantings. Some annuals to consider are alyssum, geraniums, zinnias, petunias, snapdragons and Sweet William. The herb, rosemary, is also very fragrant and can be helpful in controlling slugs. Poppies and cosmos deter slugs due to their hairy stems. The fibers cut the slugs' skin as they crawl over the stems, which will kill the slugs.

Perennials

• Enjoy some of your favorite perennials without the fear of your flowers being destroyed by slugs. They won't bother foxgloves or alstroemeria. Astilbe, bleeding hearts, columbine, dianthus and coneflowers resist this pest and are colorful additions to your garden. To further protect your flowers from slugs, place strips of copper flashing around your garden. When slugs crawl across the copper, it generates an electrical shock that kills them.

Bulbs

• The daylily is an easy-to-grow bulb that won't be invaded by slugs. It boasts brilliant colors and tolerates average soil and dry conditions. It's important to note that slugs prefer damp areas and are most active at night. Keep your garden as arid as possible and water your plants in the early morning.

Flowering Shrubs

• Flowering shrubs are often used as foundation plantings. If slugs are a concern in your area, choose shrubs with thick leaves or rough foliage. Old-fashioned favorites include roses, hydrangeas, rhododendrons and azaleas. Enjoy the blooms they produce without the worry of slugs attacking your plant.