Bee Balm (Monarda) [mo-NAR-dah] |
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| Other Names | Horsemint, Oswego tea, Bergamot |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Description |
Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to the North Carolina mountains, it may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway flowering during the summer months. Monarda smells very similar to the rind of a Bergamot Orange, one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea. You’ll smell the spicy herbal notes on the air if you get anywhere near this plant, and its leaves can be used in salads or a tea of its own to enjoy more of this unique scent. This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Bee balm can reach a height of 4 feet and will spread rapidly by underground stolons. Blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and the leaves have a minty aroma when crushed. |
| Named Cultivars | Monarda 'Balance', Monarda 'Bee Bright', Monarda 'Bee-Free', Monarda 'Bee-Happy', Monarda 'Bee-Lieve', Monarda 'Bee-True', Monarda 'Bee-You Bee Pretty', Monarda 'Blaustrumpf' BLUE STOCKING, Monarda 'Bubblegum Blast', Monarda 'Cherry Pops', Monarda 'Claire Grace', Monarda 'Cranberry Lace', Monarda 'Electric Neon Pink', Monarda 'Fire Marshall', Monarda 'Fireball', Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet', Monarda 'Grape Gumball', Monarda 'Lavender Taffeta', Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst', Monarda 'Leading Lady Lilac', Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid', Monarda 'Leading Lady Pink', Monarda 'Leading Lady Plum', Monarda 'Leading Lady Razzberry', Monarda 'Lilac Lollipop', Monarda 'Mahogany', Monarda 'Pardon My Lavender II', Monarda 'Pardon My Raspberry', Monarda 'Pardon My Rose', Monarda 'Peter's Purple', Monarda 'Petite Red Supreme', Monarda 'Petite Wonder', Monarda 'Pink Chenille', Monarda 'Pink Frosting', Monarda 'Pink Lace', Monarda 'Pink Supreme', Monarda 'Purple Lace', Monarda 'Purple Rooster', Monarda 'Red Velvet', Monarda 'Rockin Raspberry', Monarda bradburiana, Monarda citriodora, Monarda didyma, Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight', Monarda fistulosa, Monarda punctata |
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| Plant Data | |
| I am a... | Deciduous Perennial |
| Mature Size | 12 - 48 inches tall. 12 - 36 inches wide. |
| Moisture Tolerance | The first sign that your bee balm is in trouble will be drooping leaves. Unless you are getting regular rainfall, water the plant with at least an inch of water per week. |
| Zones | 3a - 9b |
| Tags | Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Butterfly Garden, Container, Cottage Garden, Cut Flower, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Eclectic Garden, Formal Garden, Fragrant Foliage, Hummingbird Garden, Loamy Soil, Mass, Moist Soil, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Pond, Rabbit Resistant, Rain Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Thornless, Well-Drained Soil, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden |
| Bloom Period | Spring - Fall |
| Animals That Use It |
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| Data Sheets | |
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Photos: Google Image Search & Flickr |
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