Why You Should Plant These Summer Herbs Around Your Hummingbird Feeders

Many homeowners find the busy activities of hummingbirds a welcome and entertaining sight. Often, people will put out feeders to lure these interesting little birds to their yard. If you're a lover of these tiny, feathered creatures, you may have even tried planting their favorite flowers to bring them in. And one of the smartest ways to draw more hummingbirds to your yard or garden is to plant summer herbs from the mint (Lamiaceae) family around their feeders. Plants like basil, spearmint, lavender, or bee balm are some of the best plants to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Hummingbirds are drawn to their nectar-filled, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom throughout summer.

There are many other suitable summer plants in the mint family, including, hyssop, oregano, sage, and thyme. Pair any of these herbs with your favorite hummingbird feeder, and your garden will be a magnet for a variety of these popular flitting birds. Not only do these herbs invite hummingbirds with the nectar from their flowers, but they also provide other benefits that help your birdy friends. Some herbs in this family, like mint itself, will also ward off insects that like to take over feeders, including ants, wasps, and yellow jackets. 

With an assortment of species to choose from, you have plenty of options for integrating these herbs with a feeder. For instance, a great setup to have hummingbirds flocking to your yard could involve a patch of various mint family herbs around a shepherd's hook with a feeder hanging from it. Or, depending on where the feeder is, you could grow some of these herbs in your flower garden, plant a few in front of your porch, or add some to hanging baskets under your eaves. 

Make sure you plant herbs that have similar needs together, like lavender and sage or basil and oregano. Also, note that certain mint family herbs are aggressive, and their spread can be difficult to control. Some, like spearmint (Mentha spicata) are listed as invasive in certain states; growing them there is illegal and could be damaging to local ecosystems. You should always plant the more aggressive varieties in containers or hanging baskets, where they won't take over your garden. Two plants in the mint family you should avoid planting near hummingbird feeders altogether are catnip and catmint. When creating an inviting oasis for hummingbirds, it's not a good idea to also entice a feline predator that would love a buffet among its favorite plants.