By Robert Spencer
Over the Dam
Early Summer Star
Suddenly it’s July and summer is running out rapidly toward Labor Day. In most years, long days of late June have reduced the water level in my pondside garden, leaving roots of Marsh Marigolds and other water-loving plants damp, but not dormant. The feet of more ephemeral perennials, like Flag Irises, are still wet enough to continue blooming, but not for long. In the drier ground a foot or more inland from the muddy shore, ferns, sedges and tall grasses are waist high. Trees and shrubs are tall enough to begin casting protective shadows across the future horticultural stars of summer.
Conditions are perfect early in the month for a thriving patch of Monarda fistulosa (Native Beebalm, Wild Bergamot or Horse Mint), a pollinator which takes over more and more of my garden every year, easily colonizing by woody rhizomes. In fact, unless I dig out the edges of the colony each year, Beebalm would eventually be the only plant in that part of the garden, smothering out a crowd of lovely blue Aquilegia vulgaris (European Columbine) which appeared when I scattered stems of seeded stalks from my perennial garden several years ago. Beebalm’s woody roots reach the ground water a few inches below the surface because it needs cold feet to be happy. Although temporary winter inundation can be tolerated, during the remainder of the year the soil cannot be saturated. The plant is not picky about either soil PH and has good tolerances for drought and extreme heat. Deer do not like to eat it. All in all, a low maintenance plant.
It is a close relative to Monarda didyma (Scarlet Beebalm), a more popular striking red perennial of which serves as a bee and hummingbird magnet in many area gardens. The wild Beebalm has a more open form and grows to a height of 4’. The pink and lavender flowers, looking like miniature fireworks bursts, usually bloom around July Fourth. Measuring 2-4”, they stand above surrounding grasses, attracting the attention of bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is not unusual on a hot day in July and August to see hundreds of busy bees crawling from flower to flower. Ten species of butterflies and moths make this plant their larval home.
Like other plants in the mint family, its gray/green foliage is fragrant when crushed and can be used to make tea. For centuries herbalists have described numerous medicinal uses for Monarda, calling it Sweet Leaf, Oswego Tea or Wild Oregano. Native Americans inhaled the steam of boiled upper parts to treat coughs, fevers and lung congestion. The leaves may be used to make a refreshing tea. The leaves are also edible raw or cooked, though I’ve never tried to eat it.
Next month we will meet Buttonbush, a native shrub which thrives in shallow water and muddy soil. It is a summer star in the pond and lake side and streams feeding into Keoka.
For additional articles in this series, see https://www.keokalake.org/post/kla-series-a-pondside-garden
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