Boy, do I love Monardas! They are great performers in the garden, the pollinators love them and they are blooming right now. My Monarda didyma is going crazy.
There are a lot of cultivars out there and personally the one I love best is Jacob Cline. It is pretty mildew resistant and very easy to find. My second favorite is M. punctata. I like it mostly for it's unique flowers that seem to grow out of one another.
There is also a lot of controversy around the use of cultivars in the garden. I always try to have people promote diversity in their garden and also be well educated about the species they are planting. Mt. Cuba, in Delaware does a lot of research and plant trials. To read their latest research on Monardas check out: Mt. Cuba Monarda Trials.
When you are ready to select a Monarda for your garden come see us at Watermark Woods!
To see other plant trials from Mt. Cuba: Mt Cuba Plant Trials