There are approximately 330 species of humming birds and luckily for herb gardeners the plants we cultivate are some of their favorite things to visit for nectar. Tiny little birds they weigh between 2- and 20 grams, the heaviest being around the size of an American quarter. Inviting hummingbirds into our gardens not only gives us great enjoyment of their beauty and dynamic winged antics but an added benefit- their amazing insect eating ability. Hummingbirds must eat twice their weight in food each day. For hummingbirds, a large portion of their diet is insects, providing important protein for their diet – watch out no-see-ums, and mosquitoes!
Herbs for attracting hummingbirds
Agastache rupestris is a hardy drought tolerant herb sometimes called root beer mint because the leaves and flowers smell like root beer it is also called hummingbird mint because of the perfect tubular flowers. With so many varieties of agastache to choose from you could make a place in every part of your garden for a different variety and color. One of my favorites- agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ it is sometimes called Korean mint, and the hummies love hanging out chasing each other away to gorge on the tasty blue blossoms.
Lavender is another hummingbird favorite. One of the more tender varieties- but incredible during the season and filled with hummingbirds is lavendula pinnata. It may also be known as fern leafed lavender because of its unusual leaves. Although it cannot take freezing temperatures, it grows quickly and hummingbirds delight in the perfect tubular flowers! Nepeta cataria or catnip is another of the flying bombardiers favorite sipping herbs just be sure to bell your cat for protection.
Comfrey or Symphytum with lovely mauve, crimson, or blue flowers is another excellent addition. Hyssop officinalis, Rosemary officinalis, and Sages or salvias of all types are all perfect for creating a working herb garden that also brings on the flying jewels of the sky.
Propagating
Most of these plants can be purchased in pots already grown at your local independent garden center although some big box and chain stores will have rosemary and lavenders they are often not the best resource for some of the medicinal herbs.
Creating an herb garden that provides you with plants to use in cooking, medicinals, and scent will provide you with an opportunity to meet your local garden center owner and learn about varieties that are perfect for your growing climate.
Perhaps you would like to grow your own. If you would like to propagate these plants by cuttings or seeds, an excellent resource is American Horticultural Society Plant Propagation (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides) ISBN13: 9780789441164. I like Powell Books because of their vast new and used books and the staff is friendly and well informed when you call with questions
Be sure to include fresh water for the little birds to dip and wash in and you will find you attract even more of these little flying jewels in your herb garden.
Uses
Agastache: Antibacterial; Antifungal; Antipyretic; Aromatic; Cancer; Carminative; Diaphoretic; Febrifuge; Refrigerant; Stomachic.
Lavender: antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and last but certainly not least - anti-depressant
Comfrey: vulnerary, astringent, expectorant, emollient, demulcent, antiseptic, pectoral, nutritive, tonic, alterative, styptic, homeostatic, antioxidant
Rosemary: Tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant
Hyssop: Antiseptic; Aromatherapy; Astringent; Carminative; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Pectoral; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic; Vasodilator.
Salvia: Antihydrotic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Astringent; Carminative; Cholagogue; Depurative; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Stimulant; Tonic; Vasodilator
Nepeta: Antispasmodic; Antitussive; Astringent; Carminative; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Nervine; Refrigerant; Sedative; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic.
One of the best mail order businesses for agastache and many other herbs is High Country Gardens. You will find a link to them below. I have found the quality of the plants great; they ship well and on time, and once they arrive- have always thrived in my gardens. I believe they will ship to Canada but it is best to contact them about shipping. If any of the readers out there on Bella from others countries would like to send me resources, I will contact them to review their herbs and plant varieties please let me know, as we are an international community here and the more resources and knowledge the better! Finally, putting out feeders until your garden is blooming will keep your hummingbirds returning to your gardens earlier in the spring and much longer in the waning of summer.
