Thursday morning while watering the perennials, I had a chance to check out what’s blooming…

Monarda – Bee Balm

This striking perennial forms expanding clumps of mint-scented foliage.  Unusual colorful flowers are surrounded by equally colorful bracts.  Bllooming in mid-summer, if you deadhead it, you will get it to re-bloom and it will continue to attract butterflies and hummingbirds for the summer.  An added bonus, it is reputed to be deer resistant.   The variety of monarda pictured here is “Coral Reef”  PPAF16741.

 

 

 

Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya‘  PP21022.  This introduction of coneflower comes from breeder Arie Blom and is part of his “Cone-fections Collection” of coneflowers.  Red-orange pom-pom like flowers sizzle with a papaya orange halo.  Highly fragrant, you can us them as a cut flower – lasting  several days after cutting.  Butterflies will also find this zone 4 hardy, 30″-36″ flower to their liking.