Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Purple'

  No room for the tall, bushy, traditional Bee Balm in your garden? Now there’s a petite selection that’s easy to tuck into the front of your sunny border and combination containers. Reaching just a foot tall at maturity, this compact selection forms a well-branched clump of deep green, glossy foliage.   From mid through late summer, fuchsia purple flowers sit just at the top of the foliage. Though the plant may be dwarf, the flowers are the same size as taller selections, measuring a full 2½ - 3 inches across. They add a cool splash of color to the border in high summer.   This new selection also offers good resistance to powdery mildew, a problem with many older Bee Balms. Just provide good air circulation, sunshine, and plenty of water and these plants will thrive!   Though this plant is listed as hardy in zones 4-9, it may prove to be a bit more cold tolerant than that. If you are in a borderline 3/4 hardiness zone, you may want to give this plant a try!   Monarda is native to eastern North America, so it is easy to grow and it multiplies quickly. The flowers' sweet nectar attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed and is often used to flavor teas.   Height:  10-12 inches Spread:  10-12 inches Flower Color:  Purple shades Foliage Color:  Green shades Sun or Shade?:  Full Sun to Part Shade Need critter resistant plants?: Deer resistant Want to see wings?:  Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, bee friendly   *Photo and info courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.