identifing a plant

[ldarlene]

[align=left]Sorry I do not have a picture of this. I am baffled as I did not plant this plant. Maybe it is a wildflower? I am posting here as I do not know if it is annual or perrenial, cultivated or wild. Can anyone help?[/align]
[align=left]I have a plant that has come up at my trailer. It gets late afternoon sun from behind, through a fence.( so it is in the shade most of the day). It grows about three feet high on a single stock. Leaves are about two to three inches apart, about three inches long, pointed in both ends and about 1/2 to 1 inch wide at the widest part. The pinkish red flower is on the top of the stock. It is shaped like a powder puff. Each pedal is about an inch long and shaped similar to a snap dragon, although it is much flatter. I never thought of taking a picture when it was in full bloom. Now most of the pedals are gone. The base where the pedals were is a lime green and looks like many little cup-like saucers or suction cups, facing outwards
Do you know where I can get help identifing this plant?[/align]It is growing in Southern Ontario. [align=left]ldarlene[/align]

[Newt]

Hi ldarlene,

Your plant sounds like Monarda aka bee balm.* It's a native plant that attracts hummingbirds and bees.* It comes in shades of pink, red and purple.* Is this what you see?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_balm

Newt

[ldarlene]

[align=left]No it does not look like that at all. It is a darker shade of pink. The pedals are much closer together (more sphere-like) They do not droop over at all but stand straight out from the centre. [/align]
[align=left]The leaves of this plant do look similar but the view is not good enough to be sure.[/align]
[align=left]Any other ideas?[/align]
[align=left]Darlene[/align]

[Newt]

Darlene, you can always do a google with the botanical name and click on 'Images' if you want to see the different species of a particular plant.* Many times a site will only show one species of a plant or just one color.* This site has a good search feature.* You can even search by season of bloom.
http://ontariowildflowers.com

If you can even get pictures of what is left of the flowers, that would help.

If you figure out what it is I'd love to know.

Newt

[ldarlene]

[align=left]Thanks for the help. I am just on my way to work but will do the google search tomorrow. I should be back to the trailer on the weedend so I will do pictures then. If I can get access to a computer I will send then on to you.[/align]
[align=left]Darlene[/align]

[Newt]

Darlene, I plan to be away for the weekend, but I'll check to see if you've posted a picture when I return.* Have a good time at the trailer.

Newt

[ldarlene]

[align=left]Finally I am back home. I did do the google search and I am now sure you are right. It is a "bee balm".[/align]
[align=left]I identified it by the first picture, plus the description of leaves and square stem.[/align]
[align=left]So, is this a perenial, wild flower?[/align]
[align=left]*[/align]
[align=left]Thanks for moving the post. I must have missed the "id plants" forum. That one certainly makes sense.[/align]
[align=left]Thanks again for your help.[/align]

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!*

So, is this a perenial, wild flower?

*It could be a wildflower or a cultivated variety that was planted or planted and escaped.* It is a perennial that will return every year.* They tend to make a large colony.

Newt

[ldarlene]

[align=left]Great to know it will return and even* better that it will form a large colony!* Everyone who saw it thought it was quite pretty and I have an area I would love to see filled in with it.[/align]
[align=left]Mind you, I may change my mind in a couple of years if it starts to invade the entire garden.[/align]
[align=left]Darlene[/align]

[Newt]

Darlene, you gave me a giggle with this:

Mind you, I may change my mind in a couple of years if it starts to invade the entire garden.

I don't think it will be that bad, but it will form a nice colony.* My hummingbirds like it.

Newt