Last year I was given a freebie packet of seed from the Georgia Dept of Transportation. It was a mix of Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) and I planted them in two half barrels. They not only grew well but after being cut back they never really went through winter kill.
Now they’re back, bigger and thicker than last year, blooming and a lavender stranger has appeared in their midst! Someone told me it is Monarda (Bee Balm). Since I’m only familiar with the red version I did some searching. The closest I can find is Monarda fistulosa, or Wild Bergamot. The crushed leaves have the medicinal oregano scent but in every photo I’ve found the petals are rather tubular and the petals on mine are flat. Also, the blooms are appearing in tiers on mine and in photos the blooms are atop the stem only.
Any idea what this is?
