[null, {"document_url": "http://wildeherb.com/2009/07/", "unformatted_src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom.jpg", "src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bee balm bloom", "alt_text": "Bee Balm or Oswego Tea in bloom."}, null, {"document_url": "http://wildeherb.com/2009/07/", "unformatted_src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom-rays.jpg", "src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom-rays.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bee balm bloom rays", "alt_text": "Several tubular flowers open on bee balm."}, null, {"document_url": "http://wildeherb.com/2009/07/", "unformatted_src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom-bracts.jpg", "src": "http://wildeherb.com/images/bee-balm-bloom-bracts.jpg", "formatted_filename": "bee balm bloom bracts", "alt_text": "Maroon bracts just below the bee balm flowers."}, null]

The bright red blooms of Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, also known as Oswego Tea, can be seen from a distance. The red color is truly a bright red – it surely attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Bee balm or Oswego tea in bloom. Several irregularly-shaped, tubular flowers open at a time. The bracts just below the rounded head of flowers are also red, but more on the maroon side of red.

A friend found a few plants growing near the Juniata River and gave us a couple for our native plant gardens. To match it’s native habitat I’ll be transplanting ours along the lane near the spring that runs after a good rain.

Once they’re established I’d like to harvest the leaves to try the tea. Does anyone here use bee balm as oswego tea?

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