Note: This week we are featuring TWO "Roadside Wildflowers of the Week"

Also known as lemon beebalm, this member of the mint family emits a sweet citrus aroma from its lavender to white blossoms. Native to the southern Midwest, it prefers full sun to partial shade and drier

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soils. Lemon Mint easily reseeds itself and is very attractive to butterflies and moths. This annual flower blooms from spring into early summer.  There are several closely related species.  Lemon Mint has been used as one of a diversity of wildflowers used by KDOT in plantings of several wildflower demonstration areas.  The site at the southeast corner of the intersection of I-70 and Highway 177 has been spectacular.  Appropriately timed application of herbicides to control invasive Bromegrass and Crowned Vetch was, and may continue to be, necessary to maintain some of these sites.

The pictures below are a spectacular display of Lemon Mint, planted by KDOT at selected sites along Interstate 70.  In addition to the display of Lemon Mint, note the presence of Black-eyed Susan in full bloom, and the vegetative presence of Maximilian's Sunflower which will flower in September.

All photos taken by Ron Klataske


To nominate a native wildflower, or to send photos of a native roadside wildflower, click here