My plant of the week!

[Virgo10]

Three years ago I planted this bush. I have no idea what it is as the tag with the name of it is long gone. Anyway, the first two years all I got was a lot of leaves. Each year it got bigger and bigger. This year it grew even taller (probably around 3 feet high) and I expected to get nothing but leaves again.

Imagine my surprise when the tops of each stem started to bud up and these magnificent flowers appeared! They look like something from outer space. I remember I bought the plant because it was suppose to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. We've had our fair share of butterflies out in this garden the past week or so. I just saw a moth type one that was the palest of purple.... really pretty. Last night my daughter swears she saw a hummingbird at this plant.

If anyone knows what this plant is called, please post. The flowers have a very sweet smell. I can't wait for the rest of the flowers to open up.

Roberta

 

[olena]

I don't know what that is, Roberta, but it sure is unique...

 

[Snowwark]

Hmmm....I'm not sure Roberta, but my guess would be Bee Balm (Monarda Didyma). I had some a couple of years ago, a different colour, and it didn't grow quite as tall as yours. It was being eaten, and I couldn't seem to save it, so I pulled it out.

Here's a couple of Bee Balm pics (a little different colour), what do you think?

Any other ideas for Roberta, Buds?

Yes, no , maybe so?

 

[Virgo10]

YES! Now that I've heard the name, I'm sure that's what it is. Thank You!!

Except for the color being different, the pictures are identical. I wasn't aware that it came in different colors. It looks way too tropical to be so healthy all the way up here in Massachusettes. Something about our climate must agree with it though. I just went out and measured the plant and I way underestimated the height. The tallest stem is 57 inches from the ground to the flower. Cool!

Roberta

 

[Tulirose]

They redid a Waldbaums shopping center near us recently and did landscaping around the outskirts of the parking lot. Earlier this season, I literally stopped my car on the way out to look at these beautiful plants that were blooming. I got out my book and figured out that they must be Bee Balm! They are gorgeous! Now, I will have to actually get out of the car and walk over to that area and take in the smell that you say is so sweet.

I hope you Bee Balm lasts longer than Snowwarks did. Both sets of pictures are beautiful.

 

[Snowwark]

Tulirose!!!!!!! Wait wait!!! Those are just pictures of bee balm....not my bee balm...LOL....

 

[Mamu]

Bee Balm it is. This seems to be a good year. My bee balm did lousy last year, I think the drought had a lot to do with it doing so poorly.