Monarda (Bee Balm) is a flowering plant in the same family as mint's (notice the square stems, which are a trait of the family). Many are perennial in many zones and will come back year after year.
Coming from Lowes there is a good chance that what you got is Monarda didyma. You can get much more info on that plant here...
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma).
For info on other Monarda varieties you can see this page...
The Bee Balms Database
