As warm and sunny days arrive in June, you may start to notice a few herbs putting out blooms. Some gardeners will be tempted to harvest to prevent flowering, or may even collect the edible flowers to use in the kitchen. But, it's invaluable to leave some of these blooms for pollinators.
In fact, herbs are some of the best aromatic plants to attract wildlife, especially when in bloom. The likes of marjoram, borage, and thyme all display charming flowers this month in preparation to later set seed. Removing them can extend the harvest season (and preserve flavor), as it redirects the plant's focus to more leafy growth. However, allowing the blooms to form provides a vital nectar source for bees, butterflies, other important insects, and, in some cases, hummingbirds.
