Bee Balm
Bee Balm (Monarda) are border perennials of the simplest culture, thriving in any soil, and suited for borders or for naturalisation in open copses. Native to North America, Bee Balm, also called horsemint, has tubular flowers that bloom mid- to late-summer.The name suggests some of its early medicinal uses by some Native American tribes, and bergamot is commonly used today in aromatherapy and teas. While somewhat bitter, the leaves have a minty-herbal flavor.
The red kind scattered through American woods in autumn is very handsome.
Related flowers
M. fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is a robust perennial growing 2 to 4 feet high with variable flowers. The usual color for Bergamot is pale red, and every gradation almost to white may be found in it.
M. didyma (Oswego Tea) is robust, about 3 feet high, the deep red flowers, borne in head-like whorls, continuing a long time in summer.
M. Kalmiana is a showy plant, often 4 feet high, the deep crimson flowers in dense whorls. To see the true effect of this fine plant it must be massed in groups.
In M. purpurea the deep purplish-crimson flowers are smaller. N. America. Division or seed.
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