Monarda — 12 species

Monarda (bee balm) is a clump-forming North American perennial loved for its ragged, crown-like flower heads in red, pink, lilac, and white that attract pollinators all summer. It thrives in full sun to light partial shade and prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil — aim to keep the root zone evenly watered during dry spells, especially for vigorous cultivars like Cambridge Scarlet and Red Bee Balm. Toxicity varies across the genus; while the ASPCA considers common bee balm non-toxic to cats and dogs, not all Monarda species and cultivars have been individually assessed, so verify each before buying.