Monarda 'Peter's Purple'

This little-known bee balm created a "buzz" in the Dallas Arboretum trial garden where Director of Research Jimmy Turner says, "It's the only Monarda that doesn't die from powdery mildew." Monarda 'Peter's Purple' occurred in the garden of Texas native plant guru, Peter Loos, when a Mexican Monarda bartlettii and the American Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' got frisky under a moonlit sky and, you know the story. The result is a robust, heat-loving, 4' tall clump topped in June and July with rich lavender-purple flowers, backed by purple calyces...a hummingbird hangout. We have seen no signs of mildew in our trials and greatly reduced spreading compared to other monardas.