north of the adirondacks – wildflowers & perennials that survive winters colder than my wife's feet


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Double Decker Bee Balm

Posted by WiseAcre on Jul 11th, 2009
2009
Jul 11

It’s not unusual to see an established bed of red Bee Balm sport a few double decker blooms.

Monarda didyma

Double Decker Bee BalmAvailable as desktop background (1024 x 768)

Back at our old home site some red bee balm still persists in the abandoned garden and seems to have far more than the usual odd sport. In fact the single simple blooms are now out numbered by the double deckers.

Bee Balm - double deckerAvailable as desktop wallpaper (1024 x 768)

I love the odd blooms when they are a freak of nature. Not so much when plant breeders take and develop new varieties from them just to have ‘New and Improved on the plant tag or catalog.

Red Bee Balm - double decker

I’m sure you would feel the same way if I was cloned. I might be a pleasant distraction but more than one of me definitely would not be ‘New and Improved’.