Monarda bradburiana 'Midnight Oil' (Eastern Beebalm)

Monarda bradburiana 'Midnight Oil' is a cultivar of eastern beebalm, a compact clump-forming perennial wildflower in the mint family. Noted for its dark, glossy, red-purple leaves, 'Midnight Oil' adds a splash of glossy, darker color to the vibrant greens of the spring garden while maintaining the compact growth form of Monarda bradburiana. In late spring, 'Midnight Oil' produces showy rounded clusters of pale pink, tubular flowers with purple flecks which continue blooming through the full length of the summer.

Popular with all kinds of pollinators, eastern beebalm is also a host for hummingbirds and the caterpillar larvae of many varieties of butterfly. Monarda bradburiana is regarded by some as one of the best picks for Monarda in the garden due to its earlier bloom time, longer bloom window, and less aggressive spreading than some other varieties of Monarda. and 'Midnight Oil' has the added benefit of deep wine red foliage that makes it the perfect contrast to other beebalm plantings.