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? ???
You're probably going to have to wait and see what comes up -exciting isn't it
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
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.
Fab, half in the garden and half on the plot then. ;D
So if bee balm attracts bees, does that mean lemon balm attracts lemons? ;D
(sorry - tired today - humour a little strange :-\)
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!
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 :)
Cheers Piglet. I do enjoy the mystery of a seed trade, you are never quite sure what is going to grow! :D