This herbaceous perennial is native to North America where it grows in prairies, dry rocky woods, tickets, and abandoned areas in most of the US. It is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae, that also includes basil, ajuga and sage. With a deep root system and creeping rhizomes, plants form clumps 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide and have several erect square stems carrying lanceolats grayish-green leaves that are 2-3″ long, aromatic, and have toothed margins. For several weeks in summer, terminal clusters of 20-50 two lipped, tubular pink to lavender flowers appear. The clusters are 1.5″ long and subtended by a whorl of pinkish bracts. The flowers attract pollinators including bees, butterflies, and huminingbirds and are attractive in fresh and dried arrangements . Native Americans used the plant medicinally and the leaves can be used to make tea. The plant is a good choice for a xeriscape and cottage, native plant, wildflower, butterfly, pollinator, wildlife, bird, meadow, herb and cutting gardens. The genus name, Monarda, honors Nicholas Monardes ((1493-1588), a Spanish physician and botanist. The specific epithet, fistulosa, is the Latin word meaning pipe-shaped, hollow, or full of holes.
Bloom: Clusters of tubular, two-lipped, lavender to pink flowers over a long bloom time in summer
Size: 2-4′ H 2-3′ W
Light: Full sun; tolerates some shade
Soil: Average, dry to medium moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline; drought tolerant
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
Care: Deadhead to prolong bloom;
Pests and Diseases: Powdery mildew, rust
Propagation: Seed (tends to self-seed), division
Companion Plants: Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea), lance-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolatata), showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
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