PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
‘ Pardon My Cerise ’ bee balm ( Monarda didyma ) . Photo by Proven Winners .
Gardening for nature has become more and more democratic in late long time . One of the best plants for attract and support wildlife isbee balm , which flower throughout the summer . Also bang as horsemint , Oswego teatime , and Citrus bergamia , the blossom nectar provides sustenance for cross-pollinate insects such as bees , butterfly stroke , moths ; as well as hummingbird , while the seed heads are a nutrient source for songbirds during fall and winter .
Garden uses for this old - fashioned front-runner are wide-ranging : in a mixed delimitation , cut garden , along pathways and in containers . Newer varieties have been bred for disease - resistance and smaller stature more suitable to urban yards .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Choosing the correct Bee Balm|Pictures|Landscaping Tips
THE BASICS
Zones:
3 - 9
Height/Spread:
variety from 10 in to 4 feet improbable , and 8 inches to 3 feet wide .
Exposure:
Full sun to fond shade . Plants blossom good and are less susceptible to disease when planted in full Dominicus .
Bloom time:
previous spring to pass
Color and characteristics:
salvia - like blossom that are reminiscent of fireworks produce arching tube-shaped petals in final whorls , often with non-white bracts . Blooms occur on farsighted square stems — sometimes layered on top of each other — in shadowiness of red , pink , lavender , white , or purple . redolent oval to spear - form leaves are greenish or blue - green .
Toxicity:
Bee balm is not harmful to small fry or pets . The sweet-smelling flowers and leaf have a wide range of medicative and herbal quality and can be used for teatime , potpourri , garnishes , and rubs . The low leaves behave as a natural mosquito repellent . See more safe plants:20 Common Plants Safe for Cats & Dogs .
Background:
A member of the mint family , bee balm is native to woodland and prairie realm of North America , incorporate 15 specie of annuals and clump - forming rhizomatous perennial . Bee balm was historically used by indigenous tribes and other settlers for medicative and culinary purposes . The pungent leaves are reminiscent of sage and can be brew for teatime or added to salad and other ravisher , while flower serve as a colorful garnish .
PLANTING TIPS
‘ Pardon My Purple ’ bee balm ( Monarda didyma ) . photograph by Proven Winners .
When to plant:
Sow seeds in spring , and industrial plant graft during cooler months of saltation or fall .
Where to plant:
In a cheery site with fertile , well - draining ground that will stay evenly moist .
How to plant:
undo soil and amend with compost . Remove flora from container and gently tease out roots if potbound . get the picture a hole slenderly larger than the root word glob and place so the top of the crown is level with the dirt surface . make full in the fix , gently tamp down ground around the root and water well . Space 1 - 1/2 to 2 feet apart , depending on the variety , to secure dependable zephyr circulation .
For seeds , sow directly outside after all peril of frost is past . screening with 1/4 column inch of fine soil and keep moist until seedling emerge , 22 to 30 Clarence Day . Thin to 18 inches apart when seedlings are two inches tall .
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Pruning, deadheading, and maintenance:
To create a bushier flora , pinch fore tips as unexampled growth emerges in early spring . Remove spent flower to encourage rebloom . recurrent bee salve are vigorous growers , so unconstipated division every 2 to 3 years is necessary to keep them in check . After the first hard frost , clean up leaf debris to help preclude disease in the next growing season . Leave sleeping plants so that bird can scrounge the seed heads during pin and winter . Cut back dead flower stalks in late winter or former spring to a few inches above the ground .
Soil:
Bee balm is large-minded of unlike soils , but prefers humus - rich dirt that drain well . Soil pH should be neutral or somewhat acidulent .
Amendments & fertilizer:
workplace anall - aim fertilizerinto the ground around the base of plants in spring according to package instructions . Mulch with organic matter such as shredded leaf to suppress weeds and retain moisture .
Watering:
Bee balm can tolerate some drought , but prefers damp dirt . urine on a regular basis once or twice a workweek during hot spells . Avoid overhead watering to cut mold and fungous disease .
Diseases and pests:
When planted in idealistic precondition , bee balm is relatively carefree . The biggest problem ispowdery mildewthat explicate on efflorescence bud and foliage . The gray-headed powdery film is not fatal , but can stress plants and cause folio cliff . Too much shade , lack of air circulation , or high-pitched humidness can increase mould and other fungous disease such as rust fungus and foliage fleck . To battle mould , get rid of affected leave of absence and dispose in the garbage rather than compost pile to forestall scatter of disease . implement an constitutional remedy according to instruction . misfortunate soil drainage can ensue in root rot . Insect problems let in stalk borer , spider mites , whiteflies , slugs , andthrips .
Deer resistance:
Because of bee balm ’s barbed redolence , deer will usually entrust it alone , though extreme conditions can lead in deer skimming on plant they would n’t otherwise .
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BEE BALM
“ Pollinator House ” combination formula . pic by Proven Winners .
With dissimilar types and size to choose from , here are some tips to consider :
For beds and borders:
Larger varieties can be planted midway in a motley moulding in combination with other perennial , bush , and trees . Smaller forms can be sited toward the front of a bed or border .
For cutting gardens:
plant life in a raised seam in compounding with other summertime - blooming cut flowers .
For edible gardens:
Place near a kitchen garden to pull insect pollinators for increased food production .
For containers:
implant smaller variety in container by themselves , or in combination with other low - upkeep industrial plant with similar needs . See moreperfect pollinator combinationslike “ Pollinator House ” ( depict ) that include bee balm .
For wildlife garden:
Naturalize variety that are native to your region in a meadow or dedicated area along with other indigen that will support local wildlife .
BEE BALM PICTURES
Photo by : Proven Winners
‘ Pardon My Cerise’—Buy now from Proven WinnersMonarda didyma
4 - 8
Dwarf clunking riding habit , 14 - 18 inches marvelous and 10 - 12 in wide
Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time:
Mid - late summertime
Color:
rich red flower , average gullible leaf
The cherry scarlet flowers on this mould - immune variety are a magnet for hummingbirds . The petite stature makes this a good choice for little garden . Plant in the front of a mixed border , along a pathway , mass as a bedding flora , or in container .
‘ Leading Lady Plum’—Buy now from Proven WinnersMonardahybrid
Clump - forming habit , 10 - 14 inches tall and 22 - 28 inches wide
later spring to mid - summertime
Flowers are magenta purple with dark-skinned speckles on the outer petals , sullen green foliation
Magenta over-embellished flowers bloom profusely atop densely branched , semi - sheeny leafage . This early bloomer spreads promptly , making it a good option as a groundcover , in mass planting , as edging along pathways , or in front of a border .
pic by : guentermanaus / Shutterstock.com
Wild BergamotMonarda fistulosa
vertical spreading substance abuse , 2 - 4 feet marvelous and 2 feet wide
Mid - summer to early tumble
sick lilac - pinkish flower , unripe leafage
This native wild flower is typically found growing in prairies , open meadows and along roadsides . Grown from semen or flora , this toughened species is warmth and drought - tolerant , as well as mold - resistant . industrial plant in a border , wildflower hayfield or cut efflorescence garden . The flowers atop baronial stems are especially long - lasting in bouquet .
picture by : Mimka / Shutterstock.com
Lemon Mint ( syn . lemon bee balm , lemon Mentha longifolia , lemon bergamot orange , regal horsemint).Monarda citriodora
2 - 11
Upright use , 2 - 1/2 foot tall and 8 - 12 inch broad
Mid - spring to mid - summer ; will bloom into fall with regular water .
Flowers vary from light garden pink , sick lavender or white ; green foliation
This annual or biennial wild flower has lemon - scented farewell that can be used in teas , salads , and to flavor sum and seafood . Long stems support perpendicular pillar of tubular blossom above lance - work leaf . Sow outdoors in spring or autumn ; germ will resow in successive days . Naturalize in a wildflower meadow , lineal sow in a border to fill in gap , or works in an herbaceous plant garden .
pic by : Arvind Balaraman / Shutterstock.com
Spotted Bee Balm ( syn . stud bee balm , dotted horsemint)Monarda punctata
3 - 8
Upright riding habit , 1 - 3 foot tall and 8 - 12 column inch wide
betimes to mid - summer
flower are pallid icteric with tiny royal muscae volitantes , pink bracts , dark unripe foliage
Native to the eastern US and Canada , this short - lived perennial or two-year naturalizes in dry , sandy soils . The gaudy flowers and bract hap in stack level on slender stems . The leave , which smell like marjoram or thyme , were historically used to care for maladies such as stomach upset and colds . Grow in a wildlife garden , cottage borderline , disregard heyday garden , or waterwise landscape painting .
Photo by : ALong / Shutterstock.com
Bradbury ’s bee balm ( syn . eastern bee balm , whitened bergamot , eastern horsemint)Monarda bradburiana
5 - 8
vertical spreading habit , 1 - 2 animal foot magniloquent and wide
Flowers are pallid pink with purple speckles , green leaf
aboriginal to fundamental and southeastern US , this early bloomer prefers teetotal soil , is mildew - resistant and less belligerent than other rhizomatous perennial forms . The foliage acquire a ruby tint in fall . utilise in a cut flower garden , wildlife garden or meadow .
Photo by : R Ann Kautzky / Alamy Stock Photo
‘ Jacob Cline’Monarda didyma
4 - 9
just habit , 3 - 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Mid to previous summertime
Carmine red flowers , intermediate green foliage
One of the best reds , the stately build of this mildew - resistant perennial get a full choice for cut bloom gardens , or in a miscellaneous border in combining with other summertime bloomers . Exceptionally long stems and gravid , showy flower are stunning in bouquets . The vivacious carmine flush colour is especially attractive to hummingbirds .
Photo by : Sylvain Marineau / Millette Photomedia
‘ Raspberry Wine’Monarda didyma
Upright distribute habit , 3 - 4 substructure marvellous and 2 - 3 feet wide
Magenta - red flowers with moody burgundy bracts , green leaf
This mildew - insubordinate perennial has hopeful raspberry bush tinge flowers that contrast with the deep burgundy bracts for a dazzling impression . flora halfway in a sundry moulding or in a keen garden . The showy blooms on longsighted bow are a standout in summer corsage .
photograph by : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
‘ Snow White’Monarda didyma
Upright spreading use , 2 - 3 foot tall and 2 foot wide
blanched flowers , green leaf
This vigorous perennial has pure snowy bloom of youth that make an elegant addition to any stylus landscape painting . Plant in a mixed boundary line , cut garden or moonlight garden . The long - stemmed lilliputian flowers are exceptionally long - survive in a vase , and the leaves can be used to make mint afternoon tea or potpourri . Because this variety is susceptible to mildew , it will perform best in optimal growing conditions .
Photo by : Walters Gardens
Sugar Buzz ® ‘ puritanic Moon’Monarda didyma
upright piano spreading substance abuse , 16 - 24 in marvellous and 18 - 22 inches wide-eyed
Lavender blue heyday , dark-green foliage
The strange lavender racy flower color makes this a welcome increase to a cool - hue border . Mildew - insubordinate and not as aggressive as other recurrent manakin , this is a good option for a mixed border , massed in a bedding display , or in container .
Bee balm alternatives:
In area with red-hot , humid summer such as the Southeastern U.S. where mildew is problematic , alternative with other long - blooming summer flowers such aspenstemonorsalvia .
LANDSCAPING TIPS
There are many ways to incorporate bee balm into your landscape painting . Here ’s how :
