I don't know of a plant by that common name, and neither does Google. I understand that there are some plants that are decent mosquito repellents, but most that are mentioned are from research that says their *components* can be used to make repellents. I don't know if just planting the plants around the patio will do much. One example: Catnip. Research says that the 'essential oils' from catnip are excellent mosquito repellents. We might end up with really good bug sprays from this research. But on the web, there are many mentions of catnip as something to plant to repel mosquitoes.... Don't think this would be of much use. If anyone *does* know of plants that can be grown around a seating area that will even *reduce* the number of mosquitoes bothering the people sitting there, I would really love to know of it....

Many people have tried and most have failed. I grow a lot of catnip, both for our cats and I allow some of it to flower because that attracts beneficial insects. I still get bit by mosquitoes while working in the garden, including when I am working right next to a big patch of catnip. I've tried pulling the leaves off the plant, crushing the leaves to release the oil, and rubbing my arms with the catnip. I still get bit by mosquitoes. You could try some of these supposed repellents, and your mileage may very, but in my opinion, they do not repel mosquitoes well. The problem is that some things that work in lab conditions just don't work in the real world. A hungry mosquito is going to go to the nearest food source most of the time no matter what plants are growing near that food source. Because I like to garden organically, it pains me to say this, but nothing organic I've ever tried--including purchased organic mosquito repellents and plants grown in my own garden--has worked nearly as well as any repellent with DEET in it. If catnip were that effective, there would be a whole slew of commercial products on the market that are made from catnip.

As for plants, Taste for Life magazine (available at health food stores and online at tasteforlife.com) has an article in the May 2007 issue about 2007 Herb of the Year: Lemon Balm. This herb has many, many uses, including repelling mosquitoes. Leaves rubbed on the skin will prevnt mosquitoes. Also--not a plant but apparently non-oxic an effective mosquito repellent is now on the market (read about it in Real Simple magazine--June 2007, page 68) called Don't Bug Me (www.dontbugmepatch.com): "Vitamin B1 and aloe are released through the pores to deter bugs. It's non-toxic and waterproof, so there's no need to reapply after a dip." Testemonials on website sound convincing. I will be ordering a crate myself....

The best way to control mosquitoes isn't with plants (sorry). You do it simply by making your yard as inhospitable a place for mosquitoes as possible. Think of your yard like a war front where the mosquitoes are enemy invaders. As Supreme Yard Commander you have many tools at your disposal to defend your territory from these blood-sucking monsters hell-bent on making sure you can't enjoy your yard... 1) Chemical weapons (mosquito traps). 2) Biological weapons (predators). 3) Destructive force (smack!). In my own experience on this war front I've found the following strategies to be most effective at very little cost (and they're also very environmentally friendly =): A) The enemy of your enemy is your friend. Invite bats, amphibians, and reptiles over for an extended stay in your yard by giving them plenty of places to live and hide from their own predators... * Make a log pile (or two, or three!) * Instead of throwing out old fencing or wood scraps, lean some of it against the new fencing or against a tree. * Put up a bat house. * Keep your local bird population fat & happy so they don't resort to eating your precious lizards: Plant Wax Myrtle in your yard (Myrtle berries are like crack to birds. Note: This is also a good way to keep birds off of your fruit trees and berry shrubs =). I personally believe this is why all the fruit and berries at the Jacksonville Zoo are all but untouched by the birds all year long: They have Wax Myrtle *everywhere* and I always see a bird or two feasting on the berries. B) Get rid of standing water. Anything that can hold rain and sprinkler water must be removed or remediated (put them somewherre they won't get wet). C) Don't use any chemicals on your lawn or garden that are known to cause problems for amphibians. This one is hard--you'll have to check up on each and every chemical you're using to make sure that it isn't known to cause things like gender changes in frogs (and fish). Some weed killers are really bad for this. Remember: Anything that can mess up the ecosystem in your nearby waterways is likely to create mosquito problems. Mosquito larvae are just peachy growing up in polluted waterways. Their predators on the other hand... not so much. -Riskable "There's a difference between making a change and making a difference."