[BjornBee]

I have several clumps of this stuff growing on the farm. But do not know what it is. Anyone know? The bees seem to love the small flowers.

 

[Hobie]

Difficult to tell from the photo, but it looks like some kind of mint. Check the stem: Mint family plant stems are square. Bees generally love 'em.

 

[BjornBee]

Hobie,
Sorry about the pic. A little blurry.

I did rub a leaf yesterday, and no mint smell at all. It just kind of smelled like a typical weed with no real scent at all.

It seems to grow in clusters. The little white flowers at the base of the plant really attracts the bees. I have no clue what it is.

 

[Little Man]

looks like it could be loosetrife or lobelias.

 

[Hobie]

My suggestion:

Bugleweed: Toothed leaves. Similar to wild mint but without the odor. 6-24" tall. 8 varieties in the Northeast. Blooms July-Oct.
Photo:
http://www.phyplt.ipfw.edu/grounds/Nati ... rthern.JPG

 

[Michael Palmer]

Hey Bjorn. The plant you show is called Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca. It does grow in clumps. Very attractive to bees. In the mint family...square stem. Related to Catnip. Plant was formerly used in medicine, especially for diseases of women...whatever that means. American Honey Plants, Frank C Pellett

 

[alleyyooper]

Yes It is Motherswort. Still used in folk medicine by some folks and at one time a major plant for use by women.
If you want to know the women use just goggle the plant.
I have a friend who harvest the seeds and spread them all over the place because bees do love them.

Al

 

[BjornBee]

Thank you Mike and Al.

I know I'm adding this to the plants I'll be expanding at the farm. The bees love this plant. One site called it a perennial, so I going to mark the plants and if they sprout again in the spring, I'll be making some beds.

Seeds do seem to be available at several suppliers. This would be a great background plant for flower beds as it lasts all summer and flowers for a long time, growing several feet high.