Monarda is a North American genus of 25 herbaceous perennial species in the mint family, honoring Nicolás Monardes, the 16th-century Sevillian physician who catalogued medicinal plants from the West Indies. They range from 2 to 4 feet tall and bloom in spring or summer in colors from scarlet to lavender, with tubular flowers arranged in dense heads that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds find impossible to pass by.

Full sun and good air circulation are the main requirements — crowded, stagnant conditions invite powdery mildew, the genus's persistent nemesis. Moist but well-drained soil suits them well, and clay is tolerated. Some species spread assertively by rhizomes, so deadhead spent flowers to curb self-seeding and divide clumps every few years to keep them in check. A light cutback in late spring can delay bloom and encourage a bushier habit.