Monarda didyma 'Purple Rooster' (bee balm)

'Purple Rooster' had the darkest, truest purple flowers of any Monarda cultivar in the 2014-2016 bee balm trials at Mt. Cuba Center. This cultivar does have a slightly different look than other bee balms. Its upright, rigid stems create a strongly vertical aesthetic, while the dull green leaves have a rough, sand-papery texture. But Mt. Cuba said the impressive thing about Purple Rooster is that no powdery mildew was ever observed on its foliage. Peak bloom is late June, and full bloom lasts about three weeks. Grows to 44" tall and blooms in late June with 3" flowers that are in full bloom for three weeks.

Scarlet beebalm is native to eastern North America, where it typically occurs in bottomlands, thickets, moist woods, and along streambanks. Attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.