If You Want Pollinators Grow Herbs

  • Post published:08/05/2014
  • Post comments:4 Comments
Common thyme on the piazza
Common thyme on the piazza

When I planted my herb garden I was not in search of pollinators. However, I have found that several of my herbs are pollinator magnets.

Bees in the thyme
Bees in the thyme

You may have to take my word for the presence of several bees in the thyme. There are so many, and they move so fast, along with a few tiny butterflies/moths that I just point the camera and hope that I captured one or two. This thyme grows at the edge of the walkway, and the piazza so that there is no jarring disconnect between the paving and the little stone wall.  We have also planted thyme in the lawn, but since the lawn is mowed regularly it rarely gets to bloom.

Bee balm and bee
Bee balm and bee

In the Herb Bed proper I have a large clump of bee balm that attracts all manner of bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. This is a bumblebee sipping nectar but there are hundreds of types of native bees in Massachusetts. Some of the bees in my Herb Bed are very tiny.

flowering oregano and bee
flowering oregano and bee

More pointing and hoping with this photo where the bees and tiny moths (I think) were flitting very fast among the flowers of oregano, planted at the feet of the bee balm. See  one bee slightly up and to the right of center?

Golden marjoram
Golden marjoram

Can you see any bees in the golden marjoram? Neither can I, but I know there were at least three on the blossoms when I snapped the camera!

Garlic chive and bee
Garlic chive and bee

Finally one more bee in the garlic chives. Lower right. There are many pollinators in the Herb Bed but many of them are very shy. Obviously. I enjoy knowing that my landscape holds and supports many pollinators, even if can’t count every benefit, or get good pictures.

 

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. I agree Pat…the pollinators sure love my herbs and flock to them!

  2. ricki grady

    Thanks for visiting Sprig to Twig and leaving a trail so I could find you here. Herbs are the plants that keep on giving, aren’t they?

  3. Pat

    Donna – I don’t have any cigarette trees, but I have lots of buzzin’ of the bees.

  4. Pat

    Ricki – I loved visiting Sprig to Twig. I can learn a lot from you.

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