Monarda, Electric Neon Coral - Trio of plants

The Monarda 'Electric Neon Coral', grown with buzzing excitement right here at the garden center, is the electrifying showstopper that turns midsummer gardens into a neon-lit pollinator rave. Picture this: bold, shaggy whorls of tubular flowers in a screaming-hot coral-pink—so vivid it's practically glowing, like someone cranked the saturation on a tropical sunset. Each large 3-inch cluster explodes with frilly, two-lipped petals that curl and twist playfully, creating a textured fireworks display atop sturdy dark stems. The color is pure eye-candy: intense neon coral that pops against the deep green, mint-scented foliage (brush against it and you'll get a refreshing bergamot whiff). Hummingbirds dive-bomb these nectar-packed tubes like tiny acrobats, while butterflies and bees swarm in droves, turning the plant into a living, fluttering spectacle that lasts from midsummer well into late summer—often longer with a quick snip of spent blooms.

This compact upright beauty thrives in full sun to partial shade, reaching 20-22 inches tall and 18-20 inches wide—ideal for mid-borders, containers, or massed for maximum wow without taking over. Mildew-resistant (a huge win over older bee balms), it prefers consistent moisture but handles average soil and occasional dry spells once established, with deer usually giving it a pass. In zone 6a Indiana, this hardy perennial (zones 4-8) delivers reliable, low-fuss fireworks year after year—because who wouldn't want a plant that parties this hard for pollinators?