Monarda didyma in my garden. Blooms profusely in summer. - always covered with native bees and other pollinators.
Before we leave National Pollinator Week, I'll try to post a few more pollinator friendly native plants. One of my favorites is Monarda, commonly known as bee balm -- currently in full bloom. The native bumblebees love this plant -- I also see the sphinx moth, hummingbirds, butterflies and others visitors. Bee balm thrives and spreads in full sun, not surprising as it's in the mint family. I love its funky flowers. It is drought resistant and very easy to grow though can get mildew if it has poor air flow. Hybrids occur naturally in a variety of colors and heights. Monarda didyma (in photos from my garden) has red flowers but other species have pink and purple.
