A FLAVORFUL SOLUTION HERBS THAT PROMOTE POLLINATORS

from Edible Madison 49 • Summer 2022

LAST BITE

THAT PROMOTE POLLINATORS

BY ERIN PRESLEY

Black Swallowtail visiting a zinnia In the summer, nothing feels more like living the good life than harvesting fresh, sun-warmed herbs that elevate meals and beverages with their bright flavors. Herbs are ideal for gardeners with small urban gardens, and can even be grown in containers. Most herbs are also easy to grow, infrequently troubled by pests or plant diseases. Mediterranean herbs like thyme, sage, rosemary, and lavender thrive in dry conditions, making them forgiving options for gardeners with limited time for watering.

Susan Betz, author of Herbal Houseplants, aptly describes herbs as “plants with possibilities.” These possibilities are not limited to the benefits herbs confer on people, though. Herbs support the insect community around us, which is threatened by habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change. A 2019 study estimated that 40 percent of insect species worldwide are in decline and one-third of them are endangered. In his book A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating

Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future, Benjamin Vogt observes that kids today are 35 percent less likely to see butterflies than their parents.

Insect decline has major ripple effects. Insects perform essential environmental functions like pollinating food crops, breaking down organic matter to form soil, and providing the basis of the food web that supports other animal life. 96% of songbirds rely on insect caterpillars to feed their chicks, and just one pair of chickadees needs 6000 to 9000 caterpillars to feed a clutch of chicks before they leave the nest. Even in urban areas, gardens with flowers and plant resources that support insects can have substantial positive impact on local ecosystems.

Especially for modern gardeners with limited time, space, or resources, herbs provide multi-faceted benefits. With planting time underway, consider the possibilities of these easy-to-grow herbs in bringing flavor, fragrance, and insect visitors to your garden spaces.

Photos courtesy of Olbrich Botanical Society

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Parsley is an herbal powerhouse, with rich green leaves that reflect high levels of calcium, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and K. Parsley’s bright yet savory flavor makes it so much more than a pretty garnish; try a Midwestern twist on traditional pesto by substituting parsley for basil, and locally produced sunflower oil and seeds for olive oil and pine nuts. Be sure to plant a few extras for the butterflies, though: parsley is a great host plant for the caterpillars of eastern black swallowtail butterflies (shown to the left). As they develop, these caterpillars take on several different appearances, with younger phases or “instars” that resemble tiny mascara brushes and older instars that sport striking green and black stripes. The caterpillars are nourished by parsley leaves before forming chrysalises, then emerge as fluttering, iridescent, black and blue butterflies. Pro Tip:When stressed, parsley plants can bolt prematurely; that is, they send up a flower stalk and produce seeds, slowing production of fresh tasty leaves. To limit stress on parsley plants, water them consistently and leave plenty of space around them in garden beds. In container gardens, limit competition by growing parsley as a single specimen in its own container.

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

This Wisconsin native plant is a stately addition to the herb garden with long blooming lavender-flower spikes full of nectar that lure in butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds over a long season. Anise hyssop is prized in cool summertime herbal teas, adding a clean minty flavor. The leaves dry well and make a great fragrant addition to potpourris or bath blends. Pro Tip: Look for different varieties of anise hyssop for particular gardening situations. The cultivar ‘Golden Jubilee‘ stays smaller than the species, topping out at around 30 inches, and has showy chartreuse foliage to boot, making it a nice option for containers. The cultivar ‘Black Adder‘ does not set seed, meaning it has a longer period of blooming.

Fresh herbs add a touch of luxury to everyday life, available to gardeners with even very limited time or resources. Thanks to these plants with possibilities, this richness is freely available to the web of life all around us, so we can share the good life together.

Thyme

Thymus species

Thyme is a versatile herb in the kitchen, a perfect complement to root vegetables, summer salads, grilled meals, and any soup or Italian-themed dish. Droughttolerant and forgiving in the garden, low-growing thyme thrives in hot, cramped spaces, like those between paving stones and along the foundation of your home. Thyme mixes well with other plants in almost any container garden, its frothy foliage and flowers draping artistically over the edges of your pots. Thyme’s clusters of tiny flowers attract diminutive, beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps. These small, non-stinging wasps prey on other insects that may be harmful to your garden. Blankets of thyme provide cover for beetles that feed on garden insect pests, too. Pro Tip: People often overlook thyme when creating herbal beverages, but its persistence in cold weather makes it a favorite herb for immunity as winter approaches. A favorite late-fall infusion combines a citrus-flavored thyme like ‘Variegated Lemon‘ or ‘Spicy Orange‘ with the subtly spicy flavor of calendula petals and honey.

Angelica

Angelica species

Different species of angelica are prized the world over for their sweet, mildly licoriceflavored roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. Angelicas are outstanding ornamental plants as well, available in a variety of sizes, with bold, architectural foliage and full domes of many small flowers that come along in summer. A particularly beautiful multi-use angelica is the Korean species, Angelica gigas, with glossy wine-colored stems and softballsized flower clusters that draw a wide variety of pollinators. Additionally, the stems of angelica are hollow, making them a potential habitat for species of non-stinging, native bees that shelter in hollow plant-material over the winter. Pro Tip: Harvest a few fresh hollow stems to make a great sipping straw for your favorite summer beverage!