Summer savory is indeed a wonderful companion plant in the garden! Its aromatic leaves and delicate flowers not only add beauty to the landscape but also provide numerous benefits to neighboring plants. One of the best companions for summer savory is beans. When planted together, the savory’s strong scent can help deter pests that commonly affect beans, such as aphids and bean beetles. Additionally, savory is believed to enhance the growth and flavor of beans, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between the two plants.
Tomatoes also thrive when planted alongside summer savory. The savory’s fragrance can help repel pests that often plague tomatoes, including whiteflies and spider mites. Furthermore, some gardeners believe that the presence of savory near tomatoes can improve the tomatoes’ flavor. This is due to the aromatic compounds released by the savory, which can subtly influence the taste of nearby vegetables.
Another interesting aspect of summer savory’s companion planting is its relationship with onions. Planting savory near onions is believed to make the onions sweeter. While the exact mechanism behind this is not fully understood, it is thought that the volatile compounds released by savory somehow influence the onion’s taste. This intriguing partnership between savory and onions highlights the interconnectedness of plants in the garden and how they can influence each other’s growth and flavor.
In addition to its compatibility with specific vegetables, summer savory also forms excellent partnerships with other herbs and perennials. When grown alongside hyssop, lavender, thyme, and sage, the combination creates a visually appealing and fragrant herb garden. These plants complement each other in terms of their growth habits and cultural requirements, making it easier to maintain a cohesive and thriving garden bed.
Furthermore, the flowers of summer savory are highly attractive to honeybees. Bees are essential pollinators in the garden, and by planting savory, you can help support their populations. The nectar-rich flowers of savory act as a valuable food source for bees, contributing to a healthy and thriving ecosystem in your garden.
In my own experience, I have found summer savory to be a reliable and beneficial companion plant. I have grown it alongside beans and tomatoes, and I have noticed a decrease in pest damage compared to when these plants were grown without savory nearby. The flavor of my onions also seemed to be subtly enhanced when grown alongside savory. Additionally, observing the buzzing activity of honeybees around the savory flowers brought a sense of joy and satisfaction to my garden.
Summer savory is an excellent companion plant for a variety of vegetables and herbs. Its aromatic qualities can help deter pests, enhance flavor, and attract pollinators. By incorporating summer savory into your garden, you can create a harmonious and thriving ecosystem that benefits both plants and beneficial insects.
