Monarda bradburiana - Beebalm

Monarda bradburiana, or Bradbury's Beebalm, is a North American botanical species that forms beautiful clusters of pale pink flowers in spring. Its flowers are more decorative than those of the wild bergamot with numerous pale lavender pink florets. Its aromatic foliage can be used in infusions. The plant is also ornamental in autumn when its foliage turns purple, and in winter with long-lasting heads. It is an excellent, hardy perennial for wild or romantic flower beds, in any well-drained soil.

Monarda bradburiana belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a perennial plant native to the central and southeastern United States (Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, etc.) where it grows in thickets, on forest edges, in meadows, and along roadsides, in rocky or sandy soils. Its foliage emerges in spring and dries up in late autumn. It forms a beautiful cluster of 60 cm (24in) in height, with a weak suckering habit from its rhizomatous stump. This bee balm blooms from May to July at the tip of its stems, with 4 to 6 cm (2in) diameter flower heads composed of florets arranged in a whorl, or crown. These two-lipped flowers are pale pink, speckled with purple on the lower lip. The flowers of this Bergamot are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. The leaves of Monarda bradburiana measure 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, they are lanceolate, and toothed at the edges, greyish green, with prominent veins. These are highly aromatic leaves, used for scented sachets and potpourri. In cold weather, they may turn more or less purple or burgundy at the end of the season. After pollination, decorative ball-shaped seed heads are formed. This plant can self-seed if the conditions are favourable, without becoming invasive.

Monarda bradburiana thrives in full sun or partial shade, in any moist, well-drained, shallow or rocky soil. Plant in small groups in a romantic garden, in a flowering meadow, or in a mixed border alongside other beautiful wildflowers such as Rudbeckia, Carex comans, Eragrostis spectabilis, campanulas, and other grasses. It is also a lovely companion for landscape roses and agastaches.