The Aromatic Herb That Brings Hummingbirds To Your Garden

Almost everyone loves having hummingbirds in their garden. These beautiful birds are important pollinators, and if you want to bring them into your outdoor space, the best way is with the right plants. Specifically, there's one aromatic herb that can bring hummingbirds to your garden which you might already be growing.

That would be sage. This popular garden resident is a flowering plant that comes in both annual and perennial varieties. It's often used as a seasoning when cooking, but this herb doesn't just give your kitchen a rustic touch when arranged in bundles. It's also a beautiful and pleasant-smelling plant that humans and pollinators — including hummingbirds — will love to be around. Pineapple sage in particular is an excellent food source that will bring in the hummingbirds and give them energy to keep on buzzing.

Sage is a good food source for hummingbirds both because it continues to give nectar for a long time and because of its different growth periods. Since sage can be either an annual or a perennial, you can stagger different varieties that bloom at different times of year (depending on your climate, of course). That way, your flying friends can always find a meal in your garden.

If you want to plant and grow sage, the best practices depend on the exact species you're using. In general, the best time of year to get them started is early spring, about two weeks before the last frost. Plant it somewhere where it will get plenty of sun with well-drained soil. Water the young plants regularly until they're fully grown. One way to ensure that your sage plants get enough water is using a wine bottle to water your garden by filling the bottle and sticking it neck-first in the soil.

Sage's benefits don't extend to just attracting hummingbirds. It part of the same plant family as basil, which helps repel harmful insects. Therefore, sage may help protect your garden plants like tomatoes just as basil does. Just don't plant sage plants near cucumbers, as the sage aroma sticks to cucumbers and can affect their taste. Moreover, cucumbers and sage have different watering needs, which can result in a competition for resources or one plant not getting the correct amount of water.

The best variety of sage for your garden will depend on where you live. Native plants are the best option for any garden, especially when you're trying to attract pollinators like hummingbirds. Research your local plants and find a sage that grows naturally near you. After all, the best thing to feed pollinators like hummingbirds is what they would already be eating out in the wild.