Bee Balm, Gardenview Scarlet

Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm sets the summer border ablaze with whorls of vivid scarlet-red blooms that hummingbirds simply cannot resist. Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, this beloved old garden favorite draws butterflies and bees in equal measure, and its seed heads feed the birds into fall. Forming a rounded, two- to three-foot mound of fragrant green foliage, it’s prized for strong mildew resistance that keeps the leaves looking fresh. The flowers are wonderful for cutting, and deadheading encourages a second wave of bloom. Typically avoided by deer and rarely troubled by rabbits, it’s an easygoing anchor for a sunny bed. Plant it alongside phlox and rudbeckia for a high-summer display that hums with life.