A few photos...

Encroaching on a Violet's Pride rose:

The flowers hum with bees!

A very young bloom:

What an awesome beebalm! Another beauty to add to the wish list. I never had success with the native M. fistulosa, though M. pringlei from the Sierra Madre is a real trooper in heavy clay.

Irving, do you happen to have photos of M. pringlei? I couldn't find much information on this variety. I'm always looking to add more bee, butterfly and hummingbird friendly flowers to my garden.

Absolutely spectacular!!!!

Sorry, but I don't have any photos of Pringle's beebalm; I grew it at a different house three decades ago. I bought it (4" or 1G) at Barton Springs without knowing much about it and planted it in full sun in unamended Blackland Prairie. It grew vigorously, never had mildew and never needed supplemental water. Hummers and butterflies were crazy about it. A definite improvement over the native perennial. Here's a few online pics.

Ooh, I love that bright red! Thanks for the link! I love easy-care plants. If I ever find a nearby nursery that carries it, I'll definitely give it a try.

Ragna, if you want one, I can make a cutting for you for fall swap.

Mara, thank you! I would appreciate that.

Really pretty wantonamara! Be prepared for it to spread! Mine is also growing in part shade from a red oak without irrigation. It's truly a low maintenance plant with high return value.

Things around here are controlled by lack of water so it might not be as bad here as in your place. Raga, I will get one started with your name on it.

Yes, Ragna, be careful. It can be very aggressive and, in my garden, got leggy the rest of the year. I guess it could be controlled better if planted in a pot, but I guess it would have to be a big one because in my garden covered an area of about 4' x 4'.

Omar