Beebalm is the bee's knees

The genus Monarda (Beebalm) is named after Spainish botanist Nicolas Bautista Monardes (1493-1588). Even though he never traveled to the North American continent, he was able to study the genus due to Spain’s control of the shipping industry.

There are at least 16 species of Monarda comprised of both annuals and perennials. Tubular blooms are found in a series of circular tiers at the end of the stems in shades from nearly pure white to purple and red. Found mostly in moisture-rich areas, the plants can form large colonies in sun-drenched fields, hillsides, and roadside ditches. Bee balms are an excellent pollinator attractant, entertaining hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and even predatory insects that hunt garden pests. Because of oils found in its roots, bee balm is even used as a companion plant to help deter underground pests like grubs. This oil has been used by Native Americans to treat skin infections and wounds. A tea was made to treat mouth and throat infections, as well. The tea is also said to be a stimulant.

There are several species of Monarda that are native to Texas and northern Mexico. With lavender-colored flowers, Monarda citriodora (Lemon Beebalm or Horsemint) is the most commonly found in central Texas. The species name of citriodora comes from the strong citrus scent when the leaves are crushed. This also leads to its deer resistance. Be sure to let this one go to seed, as it’s an annual. Luckily, the seeds are plentiful.

www.wildflower.org

Monarda lindheimeri (Lindheimer’s beebalm) is a white-blooming perennial beebalm identified by Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879). Lindheimer emigrated from Germany in 1834 and is commonly regarded as the Father of Texas Botany. His house still stands as a museum in New Braunfels.

www.wildflower.org

Monarda fistulosa (Wild beebalm) most commonly blooms pale pink and is one of the taller growing beebalms, reaching up to 5 feet. Fistulosa comes from the Latin word for “porous”.

http://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/wild-bergamot

Monarda pringlei (Pringle’s beebalm) is a Mexican native perennial with striking red blooms. It is the most drought-tolerant of the four species outlined here. This species is named after botanist Cyrus Guernsey Pringle (1838-1911), who worked primarily in Mexico and discovered about 1,200 species.

www.farsouthnursery.com

The plants described above are available for purchase at the nursery. The team at Far South Wholesale Nursery is dedicated to growing plants ideal for Texas environs and making them available to you.

Propagating Whatever We Want

As you may know, our slogan is "propagating whatever we want since 2000." That being said, we are continually bringing on new plants, whether native or just Texas tolerant, to try at the nursery.  We thought it might be a good idea to start a blog to introduce some of the new plants that we are cultivating and reintroduce some that we have carried for awhile. 

So, for our first blog, we would like to formally introduce you to the following Texas Natives:

Texas Mock Orange-- Philadelphus texensis 

Texas Mock Orange is a small shrub native to the Edwards Plateau.  It prefers part shade and can grow in our rocky soil.  Like other Philadelphus it has fragrant white blooms.  This shrub can be kept sheared, but it will drop its leaves come winter.  As an interesting side note, we learned the following from the Aggie Horticulture website:

"P. texensis has been designated TOES V, which means that it is on the Texas Organization of Endangered Species Watch list as a species without legal protection, and has either low population numbers or a restricted range in Texas. That is, it is neither declining nor having its range restricted, but rather needs some attention to make sure that it does not become threatened or endangered." http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/philadelphustexen.htm

 Gray Golden Aster-- Heterotheca canescens

I was first introduced to this plant while out on a plant exploration day in the Texas Hill Country with some of my other nerdy friends.  We saw this small (stays about a foot tall) silver mound covered in yellow blooms growing along the roadside.  This was summer time around noon.  While the rest of us were parched this plant looked pristine.  In fact these plants have really started to put on a show with their blooms here at the nursery.  (It's mid July, folks)  As if it couldn't get any better, this plant is evergreen and deer resistant!

Apache Plume-- Fallugia paradoxa

We have carried a few of these plants in the past, but are now bringing on new production.  I am familiar with this plant as it grew in Colorado (so very cold hardy).  These shrubs grow to about 3'x3' and are deer resistant.  On this airy plant, you will love the clean white blooms that are followed by a wispy seed head that resembles a plume of smoke (hence the name). 

In my opinion, the only paradox is why more people aren't planting them!