I am always on the lookout for heirloom plants that have link with our history.  With that in mind, I found that unbeknownst to me, one of the plants that has been growing in my yard for years was grown by Thomas Jefferson.  The name of this plant is beebalm (Monarda didyma). 

       The gardens that Thomas Jefferson designed and built on his plantation known as Monticello are recognized as botanic showpieces.  While Jefferson is known to have experimented with plants from around the world, roughly 80 percent of the plants grown in his gardens were native to North America.  Some say beebalm was planted to attract hummingbirds.

       Although winter has Georgia in its icy grip, it is not too early to plan on what you will be adding to your gardens this spring.  With that in mind, beebalm is a plant you should consider introducing into your home landscape.  This native perennial is beautiful and is a bee. butterfly and hummingbird favorite.

       Now that I realize it is a plant that adorned the gardens at Monticello, when I point it out to visitors to my home, and talk about its value as a wildlife plant, I can tell them it is a plant that was grown by Thomas Jefferson.  In my mind, that makes it extra special.