This looks to me to be a type of Bee Balm. Does it flower for a very long time? I am not sure but I believe this is part of the mint family so it should have square stems. If it is a part of the mint family it will cross very easily with other mint varieties you have in your yard. Which may be why you don't recognize it.

I think it is Dames Rocket.

Hello again gardeners. It looks like I opened up the flood gates on the "Ask a garden question" section on the home page. There are a few questions queued up. I need to make another gadget for it so that people can quickly see what others are asking about their garden. In the meantime I hope you guys will check out the homepage from time to time and read the newest gardening question.

I agree... I think it is Dames Rocket

Thank you. I do believe it's Dames rocket (as long as it has a slight smell). The stems are not square they are round. The photos I found seem to match the flowers, leaves and height. My plant is about 4' or more and that seems to fit. Had to tie the stalks together as they are top-heavy and not sturdy. If I didn't this plant would be lying across my entire garden. LOL It's not a big garden but I like big flowers. Hmmm Over-compensating I guess. Once again thanks all.

By the way, (this has nothing to do with this i.d.) how do you like that Ketchup bottle? Cool eh? (Yup, Canadaian, eh). How come I can't find any of your gardens on the world map (garden tab)? I'm curious or nosy however you want to put it. I just want to see everyone's garden that I possibly can! :) Cheers all.

For those of us who love plants we should be responsible and aware of ecology so the future is not a planet of kudzu, english ivy blackberries wisteria and other potentially devastating plants that interrupt natural plant succession and can devastate landscapes.
fyi-
Dame's rocket is an exotic invasive that has the potential to become ecologically devastating to native plant species in the US. It is an especially big problem in Wisconson.
For those gardeners who are reluctant to remove the plants from their yards, spread can be reduced by removing the flower stalk when the flowers begin fading. Remove and destroy all seed pods each year to prevent spread into adjacent areas. Note that composting the plants or flower stalks may not kill the seeds.

WOW!! I have never had that problem. I do cut it back when it is done blooming. Short of burning the cuttings I have no idea how to KILL the seeds. I live in a complex therefore all my cuttings end up in the garbage bin. That does not hurt the land fills. Thank God! It always comes up in the same spot so I must be doing something right. Sorry to have offended you with my plants of choice. I plant what I think looks nice and pretty according to my tastes. I like large ones in the back, small ones in the front and a scattering of whatever suits my fancy at the time. Be it annual or perennial. If I like what I see and have or can make a place for it then I plant it. I do this for sheer fun, colour and relaxation. I am no die-hard. I don't want to have to be politically correct in my gardening. What I like, I like. It's that simple and always will be, year after year. Hmmmm? Fun? Relaxation? Enjoyment? I better look those words up, because if it means that gardening has to become a chore then that'll probably be it for me. I'm simple not scientific. I like things simple and fun. Enough rambling. Signing off. By the way, feelings a little hurt. Can you tell? :(

Sorry, not meant to hurt feelings, just passing on facts to heighten awareness. I am a landscape architect and perhaps I take plants-and their effects on the natural environment a little too seriously sometimes. I appreciate your input on this site very much.

seems like an ecologically naive vision of 'invasive species' as well as 'succession'. As an ecologist who's devoted his life to conserving biodiversity, I say plant away. Over 90% of introduced plants around the world simply add to local diversity, without displacing much for very long...and invasiveness never lasts forever... just a new step in the swing-dance that is ecosystem dynamics. Big picture people, in such a cosmopolitan world, why scramble to keep the living stuff stagnant... doesn't make sense to me.

Thank you!

interesting back and forth today people! I think you all have valid points and Sherryl I don't see this as anything personal against you, just some academic posturing-but good to hear two sides of an issue even though I really don't understand much of what the ecologist was saying-I think I get his point.

Here in the south where the kudzu is rampant I have to wonder how it will not displace much for very long as the ecologist thinks. The stuff is out of control with no end in sight!

Boy this is like Religion and Politics!

But better because it is plants ;-)

LOL

The scientific name of this plant is Hesperis matronalis.