Monarda punctata, Spotted Horsemint

 

This great-scented plant will capture everyone's attention with its white to lavender-pink bracts whorled around the upper stems. While not recorded in Hennepin County, it has been recorded between the Mississippi and St Croix Rivers from Benton down to Ramsey-Washington counties, then established once again in the southeastern counties. I think folks in the metro region can make an exception for this one in their urban gardens.

Blooms: yellow-green white with red spots, July into September

Height: 2 to 3 feet

Conditions: sun to pt sun, medium-dry to dry soils