Members of the mint family (Lamiaceae), Monarda didyma (Bee Balm) and Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) are the most commonly cultivated of the 16 species native to North America. This variety is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. Bee balm is a ‘catch all’ term that encompasses several species of flowering herbs from the Monarda genus. Like all bee balm, it will attract bees, butterflies, and if you’re lucky, hummingbirds. Most bee balm varieties are perennials and will grow in average to well-drained soil in full sun. Monarda didyma common name of bee balm is attributed to the use of the herb for soothing bee … Growing two to three feet tall, depending on the variety, it has a stem that is square, grooved and hard. Seaside bee balm produces white blooms and blooms for at least 4 weeks in late spring and attracts a stream of butterflies and hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. The seaside bee balm variety is resistant to powdery mildew, deer and rabbit. This variety grows well in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, humus, moist but well-drained soil. Vigorous growth and a long bloom time also make this plant a standout in any garden setting. Bee balm is also called by its botanical name—Monarda, and is also called bergamot (because the scent is similar to the citrus fruit bergamot, an orange), and is also referred to as Oswego tea (the Oswego Indians made tea from the leaves). Bee balm is a common name for Monarda, a popular, perennial plant native to the eastern United States. The flowers are typically head-like clusters of flowers with leafy bracts. It grows quickly during spring, reaching up to 3 feet high and blooms from May through July. Planting Bee Balm. Growing to be about 20-29 cm in height, these herbaceous plants produce flowers annually or perennially depending on species. Attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to your yard with Bee Balm flowers from Bluestone Perennials. 'Petite Wonder' (pink flowers) and Petite 'Delight' (rose pink flowers) grow 10 and 15 inches tall, respectively. Powdery mildew resistance for both varieties is fair to good. The blooms also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. They bloom for up to 6 weeks, usually from mid-summer to early fall. Most of the commonly grown bee balm cultivars grow 2 1/2 to 4 feet tall. } It prefers slightly acidic well drained soil. The genus Monarda includes 18 known species and 17 accepted taxa (3). Flowers of this variety rest upon a whorl of decorative bracts and blooms for weeks from mid-summer to early fall. Bee Balm plants will produce gorgeous flowers, which typically open up to 2 or 3 inches wide. The leaves are lanceolate to oblong, tapering at both ends with small hairs and small teeth. It can be used for different purposes including nutritional and medicinal substances. Standard varieties contain Cambridge Scarlet, Blue Bee balm, or Monarda didyma, and other monardas lure herb gardeners as surely as they lure bees. Bee balm grows in a clump with 3-foot tall stalks. It grows between 3 and 4 feet tall and performs best in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It also tolerates poor soils. Monarda also has a long history of medicinal uses by Native American tribes, American Eclectic physicians, the Shakers, and herbalist. Monarda combines very well with other summer perennials such as phlox, irises, daylilies and yarrows. The boldness of its blooms makes it terrific for massing or as accent plant. Learn how to choose which variety of this flowering perennial will perform the best on your property. Full-sized varieties will grow about 2-4’ tall and will spread about the same distance. Learn more about perennial Monardas today. Most of the commonly grown bee balm cultivars grow 2 1/2 to 4 feet tall. Popular Bee Balm Varieties Bee balm varieties popular in gardens across North America include the following. The most popular ones are listed below and explained in detail with their ideal growing conditions. Exposure: Full sun to partial shade. Red bee balm is part of the mint family, and its aromatic leaves have a minty fragrance. The plant has ragged, bright red tubular flowers borne on showy heads of about 30 together, with reddish bracts. Blooming for weeks from mid-summer to early fall, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purple bracts. Eastern bee balm grows well in full sun or partial shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. All about Bee Balm. It grows in clumps of upright stems, up to 3 feet tall and performs best in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. There are also dwarf varieties … Lemon bee balm (M. citriodora). This annual is a wildflower but it’s also cultivated by bee balm lovers. Bee Balm is deer resistant, easy to grow and will attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Its flowers are used to garnish and flavor salads and other dishes, and it can be dried and used to make a spicy-sweet herbal tea. Recommended Bee Balm Varieties. Its distinctive, brightly colored flower-heads create captivating border displays and provide a great impact when used in mass plantings. Divide plants in spring every few years or when you notice the center of the plant dying out. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage bee balm plants. The color range can be anywhere between warm reds and cool blues. A Roundup of Bee Balms for the Garden. Tall, Monarda 'Kardinal' (Bee Balm) is a clump-forming perennial boasting masses of brilliant raspberry red flowers, borne in dense, globular terminal heads. It blooms for weeks from mid-summer to early fall. Monarda vintage wine bee balm consists of masses of dark, wine red flowers, borne in dense, globular terminal heads. Dwarf varieties are excellent for container gardens or up front in your flower border where you can appreciate the shaggy, tubular blooms of the bee balm flower. Growth Habit: Bee balm can grow up to 4 ft tall with a spread of 3-4 ft, but dwarf varieties top out at just 15 inches, with a spread of 18-24 inches. The plant blooms from early to late summer and grows 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line. You can grow bee balm from seed, but it establishes quicker when planted from divisions from a friend’s garden or purchased plants from your local garden center. Bee balm also known by its botanical name of, 20 Best Fertilizer For Roses & How To Use – (2021 Guide & Reviews), 20 Best Fertilizer For Hydrangeas & How To Use-(2021 Guide & Reviews), 8 Difference Between Aldose And Ketose With Examples, 8 Difference Between Reducing And Non-reducing Sugars (With Common Examples), 24 Popular Types Of Oak Trees (With Pictures & Profile), 20 Types Of Echeveria (With Picture & Profile). The seaside bee balm is a much-endangered species of the Monarda native to the coastal plains of Texas. It grows to between 2.5 and 3 feet tall, a good height for planting in borders. Attracts butterflies Bee Balm (Monarda) is an old-fashioned favorite perennial. The plant blooms from early to late summer and grows 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. Frost-fighting plan: Bee balm is perennial in zones 4 to 9. The Balmy Bee Balms are more compact and considerably shorter than other varieties of monarda, and are notable for their very mildew resistant foliage. It has countless of cultivars available, but the most popular ones fall under the Monarda didyma. Some bees pollinate them, but primarily it is butterflies and humming birds, or humming bird moths. Balmy series bee balm (also called monarda) is a great example of a new face on an old favorite plant. Protect plants from poor drainage, especially in winter. high. Ongoing CareApply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. It is best suited to perennial boarders, wild gardens, prairies and meadows. The bee balm Prarienacht variety is a perennial that produces beautiful purple flowers, that bloom from summer through early fall. Blooming for weeks from mid summer to early fall, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purple bracts and attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds. Look for resistant varieties, thin plants, provide good air circulation. Attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to your yard with Bee Balm flowers from Bluestone Perennials. Most bee balm will grow between two to four feet in height. Annual, all zones; can be grown as a short-lived perennial in mild-winter regions (zones 8 to 11). There are many different varieties of the Monarda species, and about 50 commercial cultivars commonly available. Learn how to choose which variety of this flowering perennial will perform the best on your property. Spotted Bee Balm is clump-forming, short lived perennial or biennial, boasting showy clusters of creamy purple-spotted tubular flowers resting upon pink, lavender or creamy bracts. This variety blooms for several weeks from mid-summer to early fall. Whether you call it bee balm, monarda, bergamot, or Oswego tea, this plant is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. The flowers come in a range of colours, including pinks, reds, lilacs, lavenders, whites, mauves and even blue-hued tones. Bee Balm (Monarda) is an old-fashioned favorite perennial. These colorful plants grow to be two to four feet tall although there are dwarf varieties … Carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface. Bee balm flower colors include pink, red, and white; new double-flowered forms are also available. Compiled below are some of the best bee balms for ornamental use. This Monarda is typically resistant to powdery mildew. Tall, Monarda 'Kardinal' (Bee Balm) is a clump-forming perennial boasting masses of brilliant raspberry red flowers, borne in dense, globular terminal heads. Bee balm (), is also known as Oswego tea, horsemint, and bergamot.It’s a member of the mint family and a versatile perennial plant.. You can find dwarf varieties of 10.” Water thoroughly at the time of planting and ensure that air space is between plants to prevent powdery mildew, which is no fun at all! R… Planting Bee Balm The Monarda (Bee Balm) varieties we carry have excellent mildew resistance. The leaves are opposite on the square stems and dark green with reddish leaf veins and a coarsely toothed margin. Monarda plants will grow anywhere between 10 inches and 48 inches tall. Its purple flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. 'Petite Wonder' (pink flowers) and Petite 'Delight' (rose pink flowers) grow 10 and 15 inches tall, respectively. Monarda Mashall’s delight is consists of masses of clear pink flowers, born in dense, globular terminal heads. They are also one of the top rabbit-resistant plants for your garden. It can tolerate shade, particularly in hot-summer areas. In addition to the full-size plants, there are a few dwarf varieties with smaller bloom heights of 10″ to 12″ tall. Most varieties of the bee balm plant are between 2 1/2 feet to 4 feet (76 cm. They flower in full sun to partial shade and grow best in moist soil. When young plants or new spring growth reaches 1 foot tall, cut the plant back to 6 inches tall. Prized for their bright scarlet flowers, red bee balm plants are herbaceous perennials. Gift Certificates 10% Off – Buy Now! Full-sized varieties will grow about 2-4’ tall and will spread about the same distance. Pony bee balm is native to central and southwestern United States particularly great plains and Rocky Mountains. The leaves are slender, serrated, and arrange parallel to each other, usually with very few hairs. There are also dwarf varieties that will only grow about 15-18” tall and spread about 2’. This variety of Monarda is typically resistant to powdery mildew. Terms of Service apply. Alternately, pinch back regularly. Tall bee balms are easy to grow, bushy magnets for butterflies and hummingbirds. Some new varieties, though, are more compact and only grow up to 12 inches tall. Full size varieties grow in clumps, with flowering tops that extend upwards of two to four feet tall. Blue Shades Bee Balm Mixture. Varieties of Bee Balm. 1. Cuba's trials primarily included varieties of the two most commonly used types of monarda, the aforementioned bee balm and a cousin called wild … Monarda is a popular perennial plant used in bee and butterfly gardens. Standard-These Bee balm plants can grow up to 5 feet tall, making them the perfect choice for those areas of your garden that would benefit from fuller foliage and a bit of height. Whether they are staked or not, the plants should be positioned behind shorter specimens that camouflage this feature. Zones: 3-8. Some bee balm species tolerate wet soil and will thrive along a waterway or in a bog garden. Fine dense hairs cover much of the stem and leaves, and the Bee Balm roots are short, slender, creeping rhizomes. Eastern bee balm blooms for at least 4 weeks in late spring and attracts a stream of butterflies and hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. Bee balm is also attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Bee balm is susceptible to powdery mildew disease, so select resistant varieties. Carefully fill in around the rootball and firm the soil gently. Some species tolerate wet soils, while others are adaptable to a wide range of soil moisture levels. It’s common in the central and southeast United States. Still, the plant’s annoying predisposition to powdery mildew Dwarf Varieties. AddThis. This widespread plant grows in prairies, roadsides and other sunny habitats from Arizona to Florida. The flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Color: Flowers are pale yellow with tiny … Scarlet bee balm also referred to as the crimson beebalm, scarlet monarda or Oswego tea grows to 0.7-1.5 m in height, with the stems square in cross-section. When working in the garden, they often trail a friend or neighbor, sharing volumes of knowledge. To dwarf the growth and delay flowering, top some your bee balm when it’s 1 to 2 feet tall. These beautiful native perennials can grow several feet tall, and serve valuable nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds. About bee balmsBee balm flower colors include pink, red, and white; new double-flowered forms are also available. The flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Purple lace bee balm consists of deep purple-red flowers, borne in dense, globular terminal heads. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: We have 703 images of 151 bee balms in our Bee Balms database. Medi… It grows in dense clusters along stream banks, thickets and ditches, flowering from mid-summer to late summer. This variety has a strong fragrance and can grow up to 4 feet tall. This plant will grow in full to partial sun and very dry to average soil moisture. Attracts hummingbirds Cut back by half when about a foot tall to delay flowering, reduce height and delay mildew. Seed grown cultivars like Achillea filipendulina 'Parker's Gold' (or 'Parker's Variety') and many of the Achillea millifolium types (but not all) will take over their space by vigorously reseeding themselves and crowding out their neighbors. Staking: Taller cultivars of bee balm occasionally need staking, but usually the strong square stems do a good job of keeping it upright and stray outer stems can be cut off. Learn more about perennial Monardas today. Citronella Lemon Balm. Alternately, pinch back regularly. » Search by characteristics (height, bloom color, etc), » Add or edit informational text about this plant, if ($(window).width() > 1024) { Lemon bee balm (M. citriodora). Most varieties of the bee balm plant are between 2 to 4 feet tall but there are also dwarf varieties less than 10 inches high. Jacob clines courtesy of ‘Bee Balm Jacob Cline and Hummingbirds’ on YouTube Wild Bergamots. Bee balm, or monarda, is a spectacular plant when grown under the right conditions. Most varieties of the bee balm plant are between 2 1/2 feet to 4 feet tall, but there are also dwarf varieties less than 10 inches high. Planting InstructionsPlant in spring or fall, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Bee balm is a ‘catch all’ term that encompasses several species of flowering herbs from the Monarda genus. I’ve found that herb gardeners are rarely solitary folks absorbed in pursuing perfect plants. Blooming for weeks from mid summer to early fall, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purple bracts and attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds. ... 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