Mosquito Repellent Shrubs for Zone 6A

Rosemary

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) not only repels mosquitoes when the leaves are crushed, but also makes a terrific addition to your culinary garden. Rosemary grows as a drought-tolerant shrub and can be kept in the ground or in containers. For Zone 6A gardens, purchase the largest rosemary shrub you can afford, since larger specimens tolerate cold weather better than smaller plants. If you do buy a small plant, protect it with mulch or bring it indoors during the winter.

Lavender

• You may adore the smell of lavender, but mosquitoes flee from the scent of oils released from the crushed leaves of this shrub. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) will do best in Zone 6A gardens. These shrubs grow to about 3 feet high and produce lovely purple flowers in the summer. They need full sun and don't require much water.

Artemisia species

• Species in the genus Artemisia include sagebrush, wormwood, mugwort and tarragon. These shrubs grow from 1 to 5 feet depending on species and each one releases scent from its crushed leaves that keep away mosquitoes. Wormwood has a silvery appearance and makes a nice background plant to accent plants with darker leaves. Tarragon doubles as a tasty culinary herb. All Artemisia species need full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Snowbrush

• Snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus), also known as tobacco brush, works against mosquitoes and also tolerates the coldest conditions in the USDA Hardiness Zone. The shrub can reach 8 feet tall and wide, but this can be controlled by pruning. When crushed, the glossy green leaves smell awful to mosquitoes. In late spring and early summer, the shrub produces clusters of white flowers. These shrubs need very little water once established.