Bee Balm and Croscosmia

Two exciting red blossomed plants are currently blooming in the back garden and the hummingbirds are most appreciative. The first seen above is the Bee Balm (Monarda didyma). Bee Balm is a mint and Bee Balm tea is a nice addition to anyone's day! To protest tea taxes, the original colonists drank Bee Balm tea. This plant is native to the eastern US.

Crosmosmia (Croscosmia lucifer) is the second hummingbird loving plant now in flower. The type we have planted has eye catching reddish flowers that open progressively from the base of the spike. The flowers are carried on double sided spikes that also arch gracefully, reaching some 2 to 4ft tall. Our Croscosmia is seen below. Thanks once again to Ray and Sue Horton of Burien, Washington, for giving us a start of this great plant!

These two plants are unsurpassed in their ability to attract hummingbirds.