Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators flock to these showy and fragrant edible flowers in late spring and early summer.  Beebalms are cold hardy and perennial herbs that grow to 1-3 feet tall and then die back to the ground in fall before sprouting again in spring.  There are several different varieties native to various parts of North America, from Canada to the eastern and western US.  They like rich, moist garden soil and full sun to part shade.

The herb and flowers are used as a flavorful tea (the aroma is like orange bergamot).  The flowering tops and leaves are fragrant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, diaphoretic, carminative, and contain thymol and carvacrol, which are under investigation for their action against tumors.