It's bee balm time again. I have grown Monarda fistulosa in pots but find that it is happier, in-ground. With a breeze and some grasses for company. In a tony patch of soil in front of our building a hot pink-flowered cultivar is very happy alongside agastache and fennel. (And yes, that entire four-ish square feet is vibrating with pollinators.
The stems, leaves, flowers, and seed heads can be used as a powerfully fragrant herb. Think oregano. But different. And cold-hardy.
Time for that summer caprese salad again. Recipe over on Gardenista.
________________
It is, as you've found, fussy in a pot. Growing these for sale, buyers need to look past that, and the mildew if they want it mid July. -Frank
ReplyDelete