Monarda bradburiana (horsemint)

This Monarda is a native neighbor with a small native range in the midwest. It is becoming an increasingly popular plant in our area because although it is in the mint family (famous for aggressive species that take over) it behaves the way people like a garden plant to behave. It is relatively short in stature, and doesn't spread like crazy. Eastern beebalm grows to 2' and starts blooming in early June. It likes full sun and average garden soil. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Deer do not like its aromatic foliage.