Monday! Enough said. Today's featured native plant is the rugged Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa. Put it in full to part sun in all soils, possibly even compacted clay, and it will most likely thrive. Although it prefers medium to dry soils, you can still put it in the rain garden. Grows about 4 feet tall, but if you don't want it that tall, hack it back to 6 inches when it reaches 18. It will fully flower out at its usual time in July and August, just a foot shorter.

Take 4 leaves and put them in boiling water for tea. Eat a few of the individual flowers as an after dinner mint. And even though Wild Bergamot is in the mint family, it does not spread as rampantly in the garden. Deer and salt tolerant.