Spring has been a whirlwind around here, but I’ll be back soon with more stories and legends from the garden. In the meantime, join me for a fascinating detour into the history of one of the garden’s brightest stars: Monarda.

You may know it as Bee Balm and assume the name comes from its irresistible appeal to bees and butterflies—and while pollinators certainly love it, the real story behind the name is far more surprising.

In this episode of Stories from the Garden, we’ll uncover the history, folklore, and botanical twists behind this vibrant native plant that has charmed gardeners for generations.