Tuesday, May 24, 2011

In My Herb Garden

I'm not the best gardener and I don't claim to be an Herbalist, but I do enjoy growing herbs in my little herb garden. Last year my friend Pam of Thyme Square Farms suggested I try Bee Balm in my garden. I had a hard time finding it, but one day my husband and I were in a home improvement store. I wondered over to the garden area. I asked if they had any Bee Balm plants, the lady said we just gone some on a truck a few hours ago. So I bought one plant and took it home, planted not really knowing too much about it. It grew, but not much. This year inspite of a drought we are having in Texas, it has taken off!! It had spread and has been putting on the prettiest blooms. I was told by my gardening friends that it makes a great tea! So I picked a few leaves and let them brew in some hot water. They were right it was delicious!!! And good for you too!!! I read that a cup before bed will help you to sleep. It can also be used to cook with and that the flowers are very attractive in salads. I would highly recommend it if you like to grow herbs.









Here is a picture of one of the blooms from my Bee Balm, Monarda fistulosa(pink).
My bee balm has spread into my oregano, that's the plant with the small white flowers. The taller plant in the background is my bee balm.










Tea I made from my Bee Balm leaves, it had kind of a minty taste. Another name is for Bee Balm is Horsemint. I sweeten it slightly with just a small amount of raw local honey. But I tried it before I sweeten it and it was sweet enough to drink without the honey. But I wanted to try it with honey so I could compare it.












11 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey girl, Yeah I definitely don't have a green thumb myself. I admire you for having a pet Tarantula. That's brave!!!LOL!

Sandy xox

Zoechaos said...

Lovely plant very pretty and by the sound of it useful as well those are the very best kind of plants. XOXO Zoe

Pammy said...

Oh your blooms are beautiful!! I don't know why mine is not budding up yet?? They are huge and every time they look as though they might bud the get more leaves LOL SOON I HOPE!! I'm so glad yours has done soooo very nicely and your Oregano looks splendid indeed!! xxooxx

The Polka Dot Closet said...

This is why I read blogs, I learn something everyday. I have never heard of this herb, and I have never seen an herb that was so pretty. About the only herb I grow is chives, I love them!

Carol

Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff said...

Hi Donna,
Your bee balm looks beautiful and sounds delicious. I love when plants can pull double duty in the garden (look great and be so useful in the kitchen, too).
Thanks so much for spreading the word about my giveaway and I look forward to swapping ATCs with you one day soon!
enJOY a lovely day,
Kimberly

Kathy said...

LOVE Bee Balm - you have a very pretty variety - I love to touch the leaves to bring out their beautiful scent!
Kathy

Belinda said...

How great!! How do you prepare it to drink? I've been wanting to start an herb garden but don't know the first thing about it.

Tara said...

It gets a pretty bloom on it. Is it the flower you use to make the tea or the leaves? I know nothing about herbs as you can tell! I do like peppermint tea, so I would probably like your bee balm tea as well. Thanks for coming by and have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your beebalm is gorgeous! My mom always has that growing in her garden!!

Beverly said...

I didn't know about Bee Balm. I have a small herb garden. I need to go and find some. Not only is it pretty, the tea sounds good.

Jill D said...

The bee balm flowers look lovely. I'm just starting on my back garden and am definately going to find some of that to plant.
Jill x