An informative sampling focused on herbs and tea with an occasional sprinkling of fairy dust and a glimpse into family activities too. The contributions to this blog are the combined efforts of the sisters of The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Bee Balm, Bergamot, & Monarda
Whew! Three names one plant. This beautiful Native American wild flower now comes in a variety of colorful flowers from pink, lavender, white, blue or mahogany. The Native American Indians used it as a delicious tea and introduced the Colonists to this herb as a tea. Because of its almost Earl Grey type flavor the colonists nicknamed the plant bergamot. (It is not where Bergamot comes from). It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. A fragrant plant it is always a joy to weed near this one! A hardy perennial and fairly easy to grow, it will let itself get squeezed out of the garden by other more aggressive plants. While it comes in a huge assortment of colors red was the color it was found in most frequently 200 years ago.
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4 comments:
When I lived in Spring, Texas it grew wild on the sides of the road....grew very tall. I used it in my dried flower arrangements - sadly dried flowers aren't as popular as they were before! Love it!
I just had a friend gift me with some beautiful red "Bee Balm" I can't wait to get it into the flower beds.
I can't wait for mine to bloom and hummingbirds come and visit. I planted it near a window so I can watch. Love monarda.
My bee balm is in bloom and the hummingbirds love it...
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