Monarda menthifolia - Another very pretty, but very rare, variety of bergamot. A perennial, herbaceous herb, native to America. 80 cms height. Prefers full sun to part shade, growing well in most moist well drained soils. A medicinal plant, being used by Native Americans to brew an aromatic tea. The leaves can be dried for later use. As with all Monardas this is an excellent bee plant. Bees just love their lavender pink flowers, it’s a joy to watch them in the garden happily enjoying the flowers. The flowers are produced en masse, making a very beautiful display. The leaves have a lovely minty scent and also edible with a oregano like flavour. They are used a lot as a seasoning by south western American cooks.