This native perennial works well with almost any garden color scheme.
Vigorous growth and a long bloom time make this native plant a standout in any garden setting.
Because of thepopularity of pollinator plants, the availability of bee balm has surged.
Credit: Bryan E. McCay
There are many different varieties with colors ranging from warm reds to cool lavenders.
The flowers begin unfolding in early summer, and many varieties continue to bloom well into the fall.
Choose a spot with good air circulation to reduce powdery mildew, which commonly affects the plant.
Credit: Bryan E. McCay
Keep in mind that bee balms are vigorous plants.
Fortunately, bee balm spreads by rhizomes or underground stems that are easy to remove or divide for propagation.
How and When to Plant Bee Balm
Plant container-grown bee balm in the spring or fall.
Credit: Aaron Carlson
Backfill with original soil and gently tamp it down.
Water well and keep the soil evenly moist while the plant establishes itself during the first growing season.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Credit: David Speer
Light
Ideally, bee balm should be planted infull sunfor the best floral display and dense growth.
Plants in partial sun tend to get more diseases like powdery mildew, which bee balm is notorious for.
Soil and Water
Most varieties of bee balm prosper in moist soil, especially during the summer.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Supplemental watering applied at the base of the plant helps bee balm cope better with the summer heat.
Avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungus spread.
Temperature and Humidity
Bee balm is winterhardy in USDA Zones 3-9.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
It does better in a dry climate with good air circulation.
Too much humidity leads to mildew, rust, and other diseases.
In very hot, dry regions, the plant may wilt during peak afternoon temperatures.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Fertilizer
A soilrich in nutrientsfrom organic matter should provide all that bee balm needs to thrive.
Dont overdo itoverfertilizing bee balm decreases flowering as the plant will focus its energy on growing foliage.
Pruning
To encourage constant blooms,deadhead the spent flowers.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The seeds serve as food for overwintering goldfinches, sparrows, juncos, and other small birds.
Container plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.
Water any time when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Although bee balm is winter-hardy, potted bee balm needs protection, as the roots are not sufficiently insulated.
Dont bring the plant indoors though.
Instead, place your bee balm in a sheltered area (such as an unheated garage).
Credit: Laurie Black
While it probably won’t kill your bee balm, it makes it unsightly.
Powdery mildew thrives in moist, warm conditions and is spread by wind and water droplets.
In soil with poor drainage, root rot may develop.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Bee balm is rabbit- and deer-resistant.
you’re able to also grow bee balm from seeds.
Cover the seeds with a mere sprinkling of seed starting medium.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Spray it gently with water and place it under grow lights or in a sunny window.
Keep the soil moist at all times.
Plant the seedlings outdoorsafter the last frost has passed.
Credit: Denny Schrock
They offer improved disease resistance, more compact plants, and new flower colors.
This species has good powdery mildew resistance.
Though the creamy-white flowers dotted in purple are relatively small, the lavender-pink bracts are quite showy.
Credit: David Speer
The plant smells like oregano.
The plant is relatively compact, growing 2 to 3 feet tall.
Fluffy lavender flowers top plants that grow 15 to 24 inches tall.
Credit: Denny Schrock
In autumn, the foliage takes on a deep burgundy hue.
It is rarely affected by powdery mildew.
The terminal whorls of bright red two-lipped flowers are surrounded by brownish-red bracts.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
It grows 18 to 24 inches tall and bears whorls of pink bracts with white flowers dotted with purple.
It usually grows as an annual and occasionally survives for a second year of bloom.
It has rosy pink blooms in midsummer.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Its foliage is mildew-resistant.
It grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
This selection is exceptionally drought-tolerant.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
The fuzzy green foliage has excellent resistance to powdery mildew.
Provide full sun and average well-drained soil.
Regular deadheading extends bloom time.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
However, not all asters are fall bloomers.
Extend the season by growing some of the summer bloomers, as well.
Zone 3-9
Coneflower
Purpleconefloweris so easy to grow and draws many birds and butterflies.
It used to be that rosy purple or white were the only choices in flower color.
Their cup-shaped flowers of various sizes open during the day, and many are wonderfully fragrant.
Take note, though: Some spread enthusiastically and need control.
The plan also includes a few decorative rocks to provide convenient perches for your winged visitors.
Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects will also appreciate the abundance of nectar-rich flowers.
Scarlet beebalm is also known as Oswego tea because the Oswego native Americans used the leaves to make tea.
The name wild bergamot for bee balm is a little misleading.
The plant is unrelated to the bergamot plant that gives Earl Grey tea, its signature aroma.
Bee balm belongs to the mint family and bears no fruit.
Plant of the Week- Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyama L.).U.S.
