Some call it bergamot, others call it bee balm. Plants in this family of monarda have been used to treat and cure ailments, from skin infections to flatulence. I like it because it’s a low maintenance plant that brings color and tons of bees into the garden.

I planted it last year but it didn’t grow very tall. Unfortunately, I planted squash nearby which eventually dwarfed the plant and it went into a sort of hibernation. This year, it came back with a vengeance, growing taller than my 4 year old in a few short months. It’s nearly as tall as me at this point!

Would I plant more of it? Sure, I may even buy more starts and plant them in the front of my house where they’ll pop among the other flowers.

If you want more garden tips, be sure to sign up for my gardening class on Skillshare.