If you like hummingbirds, you need bee balm. They love the red, but why stop there. This hot pink is Monarda fistulosa. Sometimes referred to as wild bee balm,it has a slightly different fragrance and leaf shape.
The lavender Bee balm is a cultivar of M. didmya. It is taller and begins to bloom a bit later than the red. All the bee balms are blooming now. They are very busy plants attracting bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds and hummingbird moths. With all the wet weather there is some powdery mildew. I don't worry about that, but I do cut the plants to the ground right after flowering, and remove all the debris. It's so worth it!
2 comments:
Becky that is amazing Bee balm girl ! .. I so love the scent but I have a problem with space and powdery mildew .. if only I had more "sun" bed room to put it in I would have a section for Bee Balm alone ! : )
Great pictures !
These lovely blooms are standing tall, one trying to outwit the other. Beauty contest here, each bloom trying the best to attract the bees.
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