Hi Melanie – Rugosa roses and wild thyme are indeed yummy plants, and I like to gather and use them too. Neither are native to the Northeast U.S., however.

Yes, there are many native mints. Besides Bee Balm (Monarda didyma, discussed in this podcast), there is Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Broad-leaved Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) and many others. That said: I do not believe that Lemon balm is native to the U.S.

In the meantime:

To answer your question [Are you growing any edible or medicinal native plant (even if just for its good looks!)?]

The answer is yes, many. Since my retirement a decade ago, as an expression of gratitude to Mother Nature for all of the berries, nuts and other wild edible gifts she has bestowed on me over the decades, I am now playing the role of Johnny Appleseed for native edible species. I have nursery outside of Boston where I am growing over 1,000 plants, representing more than a third of the more than 190 species native to Northeast ecoregions that are edible by people. I am then collaborating with land trusts, municipalities, state and federal agencies, schools and colleges, tribal groups, organic farms and others, to plant plants from my nursery on appropriate places on their properties. BTW – I do not operate my nursery as a business; I give away all the plants I am growing there. For anyone interested, you can read more about what I am doing.