RED BEEBALM

MONARDA DIDYMA

Thursday, 8:30 AM.  59 degrees F at the ferry dock, 52 on the back porch.  Wind variable and calm, the sky clear with some haze, the humidity 83%. The forecast calls for highs in the mid to low 60's , with rain on Saturday.  There may be global warming somewhere, but not in Bayfield: the thermometer on the back porch was frozen at 48 when I looked at it earlier this morning. If this keeps up there will be frost on the tomatoes rather than on the pumpkins.
   Last Saturday's post discussed the several Monardas native to eastern North America, with photos of Nonarda fistulosa,  The other Monarda, Monarda didyma, red beebalm, I have never come across in the wild that I can recall.  For all that, it is not rare, and is often seen in gardens, and of late in rain gardens, since it is a plant of stream banks and other wet locations. Being a mint, the dried leaves make a refreshing tea, which also has the strong antiseptic and other qualities of M. fistulosa.
  I came across the red beebalm pictured above in a local wild garden. The species Latin name refers to the paired stamens of the flowers, which is an identifying characteristic.
   Monardas are good garden plants if controlled, and are very welcome in native plant restoration projects .