One thing that was consistent throughout all the gardens in the Lewes Garden Tour last weekend was the pollinator-friendly plants. Some native, some unusual, some historic. Some all of the above.
Like this Scarlet Bee Balm that has medicinal qualities used by Native Americans and valued by the Shakers. Looking a little like an explosion-perhaps like fireworks- which makes it popular for July 4th flower arrangements. It's blossoms are used for bergamot, one of my favorite herbs, used in tea which the colonists tossed into the harbor as a statement to English rulers; just to bring the whole historic thing full circle.
You can guess that any bee, hummingbird or butterfly would be attracted to this aromatic and colorful herb of the mint family.
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Photography grounds me and elates me. I am inspired by nature and its perfection. I see things that compel me to take a photograph, things that are ordinary, or small and go unseen by others. This is my purpose as a visual story teller. See my work in the Beach Paper and the Cape Gazette, or visit my website denyhoweth.com.
