The
Bee Balm flower a native perennial in North America is commonly called horsemint, Monarda, and wild bergamot. This plant is in the
mint family and has a unique white, pink, purple or red flower that
blooms in mid to late summer.
The entire bee balm plant is very fragrant, the leaves, stems, and flowers
have a mint/oregano aroma. So if you enjoy fragrant flowers then I
would recommend that you grow bee balm close to your outdoor living
space.
I
have red and purple bee balm growing close to my garden path and
flagstone patio. Butterflies and hummingbirds find the bee balm to be
attractive and we enjoy watching the wildlife.
Here are some photographs of bee balm
flowers that grow in the garden.
The bee balm in this photo has powdery mildew
due to excessive rain in June.
Bee balm growing wild in a field
My
bee balm flowers bloom at the end of June and continue to bloom through August
provided I deadhead all spent blooms. In late summer I will not
deadhead because the seed heads provide a source of food for the
sparrows and finches during the fall to the winter season.
Bee
Balm Growing Tips
- Grow from seed, cuttings, and root divisions.
- Plant in spring or in late summer / early fall
- Choose a planting area that has ample area for this plant to grow and spread. Grow plants 20 inches apart in loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Soil should be moist but well-drained.
- Plant in full sun, however, this plant will tolerate part sun in the late afternoon as long as it has six hours of direct sun daily.
- Grow bee balm in an area that has good air circulation. Avoid planting next to a wall or a wooden fence as these structures will prevent proper airflow and powdery mildew will form on leaves and stems. Excessive watering will also cause powdery mildew.
- Water plants to prevent soil from drying out.
- The bee balm is hardy in the USA growing zone 3.4.5,6,7,8,9
Care
and Maintenance
- Fertilize in the spring and weekly with a bloom booster flower food. I use Miracle-Gro a water-soluble weekly throughout the blooming season.
- Apply a layer of mulch around the stem to help to retain moisture and to prevent weed growth.
- Water plants to prevent soil from drying out. Soil that is moist but well-drained is best.
- After a hard frost cut back the flower stems to 2 inches above the soil. (or leave seed heads throughout winter for the birds.
- In spring when plants start to grow check your plants for overcrowding. Divide and transplant when needed or every two years.
- If not maintained in your garden this plant can become invasive.
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