Monarda citriodora
Family: Lamiaceae
Herbaceous perennial. Native to the midwestern and Southern
United States. The flowers are colored outrageously purple, blooming May
to August, occurring in dense whorls on the square stems; attracting butterflies,
herbalists and hummingbirds to the garden. The leaves are deliciously
lemon-scented and flowers make excellent cut arrangements, either fresh
or dried. The native peoples used this species as a digestive tea
and vermifuge. Cultivation: Easy. Start in greenhouse
or direct seed in garden or flower bed in the spring. Cover seed
sparingly with dirt and press in. Keep moist. Germinates within
30 days. Space plants 1 foot apart. Flowers to 3 feet tall.
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