bee balm

[Mrs Ava]

I received a packet of bee balm in a seed trade and sowed some today.  Just googled it and have come up with 2 possible descriptions of bee balm.  One is it is Melissa - so what I know as Lemon balm, and one as wild Bergomot.  Anyone know?  ???

[Mrs Ava]

[philcooper]

You're probably going to have to wait and see what comes up -exciting isn't it

[Hyacinth]

EJ I didn't reply to this last night, cos I was tired and lazy :-[

I was talking about this with an American friend last summer & my diary shows that it's also known as Oswego tea = Bergamot. Nice plant, minty(?) flavoured leaves & there are many different coloured flower varieties. Think that the most usual is red, but I'm not too sure. Any help? Cheers, Lishka

[lyn]

Hello All
Im a newbie here but this site is so addictive! Im a newbie to allotments and gardening but find that both are addictive too.
I grew bergamot last year and the aroma was wonderfull,the bees and butterfly,s flocked to them all day,more so than on my buddlea.I think that mine were a lovely deep purple colour but can,t remember the name.

[Mrs Ava]

Fab, half in the garden and half on the plot then.  ;D

[aquilegia]

So if bee balm attracts bees, does that mean lemon balm attracts lemons?  ;D

(sorry - tired today - humour a little strange  :-\)

[Muddy_Boots]

Nothin strange about that Aqui, seems quite normal to me and gave me a laugh too, so bonus points to you  ;D  Hope you re-energise soon!

[Piglet]

Hi EJ, I bought some Purple Bee Balm from ebay this year as said attracted bees and butterflies. the info i received was:-

This is a pereninial, Botanical name = Monarda. Grows 2-3ft tall with long lasting beautiful purple blooms. Cut flowers have an extremely long vase life, and the whole plant has a slight sage/herb sent.

Hope this helps.

Piglet  :)

[Mrs Ava]

Cheers Piglet.  I do enjoy the mystery of a seed trade, you are never quite sure what is going to grow!  :D