Herbs are hardworking
Roses are stars in the flower garden. Likewise, perfect tomatoes generate “oohs” and “aahs” for the vegetable grower.
Basking in the satisfaction of creating stunning roses or blemish-free tomatoes, we sometimes forget the garden workers that diligently go about their business, doing their jobs without needing much attention — the herbs that perform mundane jobs such as attracting and feeding pollinators, pest protection and providing a pleasing backdrop in our landscapes.
Herbs have been generally defined as plants valued because they or parts of them are useful in cooking, medicine or perfume-making. We most commonly think of herbs in connection with cooking; rosemary can jazz up a meat dish, and basil is the foundation for perfect pesto.
Herbs perform many other functions in our gardens, including acting as hosts for native butterflies. Most herbs left to flower will attract and provide food for bees and other pollinators — a benefit when numbers of both honeybees and native bees are declining.
The strong scent that attracts pollinators has an important side effect: deer generally don't like strongly scented plants.Curly-leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and dill (Anethum graveolens) are host plants for our native Eastern black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes asterius). If you plant these herbs or fennel, carrots or parsnips, keep an eye out for the eggs and caterpillars of this beautiful native butterfly.The local native, gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus) will use mints (Mentha spp.) as host plants.There are herbs that can be planted as companions to vegetables to help neutralize specific pests. And, there are herbs that can be used in the landscape to act as ground covers and to add color and texture.Speaking of texture, deer generally don't like plants with fuzzy or hairy foliage either.The herbs listed below can help with pollinators and pest protection and provide contrast with other flowers in our gardens.Basil (Ocimum basilicum), an annual herb with few insect pests, can be sown between other food crops to attract a wide range of beneficial insects for pollination and pest control. Planted among tomatoes, it repels the moth (adult form) of the tomato hornworm.Catmint or catnip (Nepeta spp.) blooms for extended periods, attracting honey and bumble bees. Deer avoid it. Many cultivars can be used as perennial ground covers and will rebloom if pruned after the first flowering.
Lavender (Lavendula spp.) is a pollinator magnet; its flowers attract all kinds of bees. It helps deter slugs and one Master Gardener plants it under her roses to keep the deer away. English lavender (L. angustifolia), hardy to this area, is a stunning ornamental all by itself.Mint (Mentha spp.) attracts many beneficial flies and wasps, along with most bees. Some species of mint have been shown to repel cabbage moths and deer. However, mint can be aggressive, so plant it in an area where you don't mind it spreading or keep it in containers.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) nectar has some of the highest documented sugar concentrations of any plant (76 percent). It attracts bees, especially bumble bees and honeybees and can be perennial.Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is usually grown as an annual or in a container to be brought indoors to overwinter in our area. It attracts bumble bees and honeybees and is a striking foliage companion to annual flowers.The sage (Salvia spp.) family has varieties hardy to this area. Berggarten sage (S. officinalis 'Berggarten') provides a beautiful gray-green backdrop to other garden flowers, along with its own violet blue blossoms. Silver sage (S. argentea), a biennial, has stunning fuzzy blue-green leaves the first year and clusters of white flowers the second. It contrasts nicely with colorful annuals.
Thyme (Thymus spp.) has many perennial varieties. Thymes attract bees as they cover the ground, enhance the rock garden or soften the edges of crevices and paving stones. Slugs don't like thyme and when placed among the vegetables, it deters cabbage moths.Plant some of these hardworking herbs to make your gardening life easier.Susan Struthers and Mary Alice Koeneke are Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County.
