Peach and Tansy

Tansy planted near peaches contributes to pest suppression through volatile oils that confuse Japanese beetles and ants. The effect is real but modest; tansy isn't a substitute for active pest management, but it's a useful low-effort addition to an orchard floor planting mix.

Plant tansy 4 to 6 feet from the trunk in a small clump. The plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and bloom yellow button-flowers in mid-summer, which also attracts beneficial parasitoid wasps. Tansy spreads slowly by rhizome; cut back hard in fall to control spread.

Two cautions: tansy is mildly toxic to livestock, so don't plant where animals graze. And tansy can be aggressive in moist rich soil. Pair it with grass groundcover or other competitive plants to keep it in check. For a fenced backyard orchard with no livestock concerns, the pairing is a clean win.