After these flowers have bloomed for awhile, the little goldfinches begin to arrive in late July, early August. The bees never stop. The big black and yellow bumble bees are there every day. We have planted a large row of these plants right under our family room window so we can watch at times a dozen or more goldfinches eat the seeds from the finished blossoms right at the window.
The plant is also called Hummingbird Mint and/or Licorice Mint. The purple flowered varieties are loved by bees and finches while the orange varieties are cherished by the Hummingbirds. All re-seed prolifically, so be prepared to have many, many seedlings after the first year. The purple varieties can survive in shade as well as full sun.
Also makes a fine tea and its leaves can be used as a mint substitute in drinks.
High Country Gardens Nursery has an excellent selection of these plants.
No comments:
Post a Comment