Monday, July 8, 2013

Tansy and Bee balm coming up!

TANSY: The stem is erect and leafy, about 2 to 3 feet high, grooved and angular. The leaves are alternate, much cut into, 2 to 6 inches long and about 4 inches wide. The plant is conspicuous in August and September by its heads of round, flat, dull yellow flowers, growing in clusters, which earn it the name of 'Buttons.' It has a very curious, and not altogether disagreeable odour, somewhat like camphor.

BEE BALM: This species has showy, scarlet flowers in large heads or whorls at the top of the stem, supported by leafy bracts, the leaflets of which are of a pale-green colour tinged with red. Its square, grooved and hard stems rise about 2 feet high, and the leaves which it bears in pairs are rather rough on both surfaces. The whole plant is strongly impregnated with a delightful fragrance; it is known in America as 'Oswego Tea,' because an infusion of its young leaves used to form a common beverage in many parts of the United States. It is also sometimes called 'Bee Balm,' as bees are fond of its blossoms, which secrete much nectar.It is readily propagated by its creeping roots and by slips or cuttings.

Yes, I am teasing you. Instead of taking a photo of these plants, and because the light is pretty bad this late, I'm going to eat an avocado. Nite nite!

1 comment:

Lori "The Soil Whisperer" Guenter said...

Red? Then why is my bee balm lavender?