From Wikipedia:
Monarda is a genus consisting of roughly 16 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The genus is endemic to North America. Common names include bee balm, horsemint, oswego tea, and bergamot, the latter inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia). The genus was named for the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World.
Morning Bray Farm 
July 17, 2014 at 10:44 am
This beautiful herb is one of my very favorites. I look forward to their blooms every summer.
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July 17, 2014 at 2:01 pm
I’ll bet it smells lovely. I wonder if it would grow here. We’re a Zone 3.
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July 17, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Carolynn,
According to Better Homes & Gardens, it’s suitable for zones 3 – 9. http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/bee-balm/
The best part – hummingbirds love it. 🙂
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July 17, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Very beautiful!
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July 18, 2014 at 6:41 am
I use to have a bunch of this and it seems to have died out. Hmmm. May have to replant for next year. (It was a brutal winter…)
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July 18, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Never seen them before but they look so gorgeous and beautiful!
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July 22, 2014 at 8:18 pm
Beautiful.
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August 11, 2014 at 1:58 pm
I have a purple version and the hummingbirds, AND the hummingbird moths love it!
I’m thinking I need to add some more to my garden and get some extra colors. Thanks for the info about its history!
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