flower
table of contents
We all want to advance pollinators to inhabit our garden . After all , without those cross-pollinate insects , we do n’t have flowers or produce ! And so , to draw good insects to our thousand , we tend to use plants likebee balm .
But what is bee balm , exactly ? It ’s a part of the mint family ( Lamiaceae ) , and an awful luck of people grow bee balm … does that mean it ’s a mint ? Does bee balm do anything more than just reckon pretty ?
Today , we ’ll go over some of the Monarda species of plant , and try the differences between these different types of bee balm . We ’ll talk about :
mind to this post on the Epic Gardening Podcast
Bee Balm Overview
All About Bee Balm
Bee Balm is just one of the many common names for all Mondarda specie . All phallus of the mint family , bee balm wild flower attract pollinators and people alike . All are native to southern Canada through the Eastern US . Some species hail as far to the south as Mexico .
If you ’re reckon to total color to your herb garden , plant bee balm towards the center or rear of your garden space , as they will be taller than most one-year herbs , and examine develop thyme , Basil of Caesarea , parsley , or chives around it .
For a burst of added coloring against the purple or red bee balm , sample growing daylilies for a bright yellow , or choose a nicely contrasting blue by planting agapanthus .
And lastly , for gracious blend of similar - sized plants , growing opprobrious - eyed Susansor echinaceas nearby can make your blooms similar in top , but if you want a low flower beneath these , test adwarf phloxalong the base to append a spark of luminance beneath the larger blossoms .
Bee Balm Varieties
There are many different varieties of the bee balm Monarda species , and about 50 commercial cultivar commonly uncommitted . But an awful lot of bee balm varieties are naturally - arise wildflowers in the United States . Let ’s calculate at a short list of some of the types and the differences between them .
Monarda bradburiana , ‘ Eastern beebalm ’
This perennial variety of bee balm has a lower cushion of productive green leaf , with lightly - toothed edges along ellipse leaf . Rising above , the flower staunch tinge towards purpleness , and culminate in a lavender to light purple blossom . These bee ointment blossom bring on large amounts of nectar , which draws a variety of wildlife from bumblebees to hummingbirds . It ’s aboriginal to the central and southeastern United States .
Monarda citriodora , ‘ stinker beebalm ’
An annual , lemon bee balm is often find as a wildflower in much of the United States and into Mexico , but is also wide cultivated . This monarda does not look anything like Bradbury ’s , in that it has long lance - like or grassy farewell and a much more compact plant life base . The base uprise from the center of the bee balm plant and has multiple over-embellished or purplish - pinkish florets stacked atop it .
The lemon part of this bee balm ’s name refer to the lemony scent that raw leaves have when crushed , cause by of course - form citronellol , and it ’s commonly used as an louse repellant in garden because of that aroma . However , it should not be confused with the other plant commonly known as “ lemon yellow wad ” , despite sharing the name .
Monarda clinopodioides , ‘ Basil beebalm ’
The annual known as basil bee balm is a native of Kansas , Oklahoma , Texas and Louisiana . This plant is a snatch woody , with long slender leave on the flower stalks coalesce with slightly oblong foliage at the plant ’s base . The blossom stalk supports multiple florets of pale purple bee balm flower stacked neatly in a conical form .
Monarda didyma , ‘ Crimson beebalm ’
This popular ornamental , often red bee balm plant is a perennial . Native to the eastern United States , it is wide naturalized throughout the rest of the US and in parts of Europe and Asia . Showy tubular flowers in inflorescences of about 30 around a central bract rest at the backsheesh of a vibrant dark-green stem , surrounded by lush fleeceable leaves . There are many dissimilar cultivar of this bee balm which produce colors of medium to dingy violent , white , regal and pink blossom .
But the full term bergamot is misleading , as no monarda is a true “ bergamot ” of the type used to odorize tea . However , if you require to prevent powdery mildew from ever entering your garden , this red bee balm is key . The species and all colligate cultivar are powdery mildew - immune .
Monarda fistulosa , ‘ unfounded bergamot ’
A wild perennial , thewild bergamotbee balm produces showy lavender or pinkish blossoms throughout the summertime months . Each flower cluster on its branch can get between 20 - 50 tube-shaped flower , and rest over brilliant green herbaceous and fragrant foliage . There are multiple varieties of this bee balm plant , many of which have more or less different odour . In fact , Native American tribal people recognized at least four separate variations for their perfume , each indicating different uses for the flora .
Monarda media , ‘ Purple bergamot ’
Typically found in swampier environments such as riverbeds , this repeated bee balm has shaft - influence leaves and square stalks . At the top of the still hunt take form a large flowering in a reddish - purpleness chromaticity , made up of many smaller cannular flowers around a ejaculate head . While it is not a true bergamot any more than Monarda fistulosa or Mondarda didyma , it has a similar aroma to the bergamot orange used for nose commercial teas . This oft red bee balm is common throughout the eastern United States and into Canada .
Monarda punctata , ‘ Spotted sweet balm ’
The spotted bee balm can be either an yearly or a recurrent depending on its environment . It seems to favor sandy soils with good drainage . The flower heads are stacks of flowers , each with its own bract , and have a yellowness with purple spot bloom color and once in a while purple petal - backsheesh . The fragrant foliage of this bee balm is slender - provide and bright dark-green in chromaticity . Monarda punctatais a major draw for beneficial bug , especially beneficial predatory wasps . It has a thyme - similar aroma .
Bee Balm Care
Bee balm is easy to grow , as it ’s a very forgiving plant . You ’ll want to pick a location with good maturate experimental condition : ample short , well - draining soil , and if you ’re grow it to advance beneficial insects or hummingbirds , you ’ll need to place bee unguent near your food plants . countenance ’s count a little nigher at what the optimal conditions to grow bee balm are .
Light and Temperature
Bee unction is a full sun plant , so in much of the United States , you could establish it in full sun to further blooming . In hotter areas of the south or southwestern US , a small fond shade in the afternoon will help the flowering time of year to last a bit longer and will protect the perennial smorgasbord of bee balm from the scorching heat of the good afternoon .
Some varieties , like Monarda citriodora will last through the intense oestrus of recent summer . While bee balm is a spring and summertime bloomer , bee balms themselves are stalwart down to -20 ° farad . It ’s at this time in winter , the above - ground bee balm plants exit back , but they ego - seed to recall again in spring .
Water and Humidity
Most mixed bag of bee balm are sanely drought - broad , but they do much better with regular watering . Keeping the territory damp but not wet should be passable . Be certain that the domain you plant bee balm in does not get soggy during the winter month and abide well - drain so you do not drown your repeated change ! An exception to this isMonarda sensitive , which likes more moisture , but even then it does need room for the roots to emit as well .
restrained humidness in the aboriginal range of bee balm plants is double-dyed , but too much can create condition where powdery mould thrives . Sometimes dry condition are desirable for establish stands , too . It ’s less likely that powdery mildew will develop in a dry surroundings .
Soil
monarda do n’t always like overly wet filth as this can make conditions where powdery mould expand , so it ’s important that your territory is capable to drain off any surplus urine . The wild forms of bee balm are not at all finicky in term of grease fertility , and are known to develop in anything from sandy soils topotting mix .
Commercial cultivar of bee balm like slightly rich grime , likely because of years of multiplication in better calibre soils . works bee balm in soil with a pH chain between 6.0 and 6.7 for in effect growth , and I wish to add somecompostto the bed to give the dirt excess nutritive note value before imbed .
Fertilizer
There are two common fertilization techniques for bee balm . A dainty level of top - dressed compost in the spring followed by a couple column inch of mulch will offer plenty of flora nutrition along with some smoke prevention .
Alternately , you may apply ageneral - purpose constituent fertilizer , either a slow - outlet granular manikin dug into the filth or a liquid rule . Either of these options should keep bee balm well - fed . Be deliberate not to overfeed wild Monardas as they wo n’t execute as well with superfluous nutrition .
Repotting Bee Balm
Bee balm often forms a rather dense root egg in corporation . When repot bee balm , it is often a full idea to divide the plant to ensure that it does n’t get too rootbound . Start out by loosening the soil around the etymon , and then gently working a spadeful beneath the root ball . Pry the bee balm plant upwardly cautiously until you may justify it from its pot .
To dissever the bee balm plant , shake it gently and sweep off as much loose soil as possible without harming the plant . slew through the thicker individual roots with a pair of pruning shears , and then gently pry the two segment aside to maintain the smaller root . You want to make certain that every division of the bee balm plant has plentitude of root mass to regrow from .
When you have the bee balm plants divided down to the size you desire , audit the tooth root , trimming off any which appear worthless or partially - rotten . Similarly , trim off any weak or wiped out stem from the plant . Work quickly so that the roots do not dry out , and immediately re - plant bee balm in fresh pots or garden beds once you ’ve start your bee unguent prepared .
Monarda Propagation
While you’re able to divide bee balm as mentioned above in the repotting section , you’re able to also grow bee balm from cutting or from germ .
If you ’re propagating bee balm from cuttings , quality new spring growth from the tip of the stem , cutting them at least six inches long and just below a set of leaves . Place your cutting stems into a small pot which is filled withperlite , peat moss , vermiculite , or a blend of any of these choice . Water them well and set them inside a plastic dish to serve continue some wet .
Once the bee balm stems have taken root , get rid of the plastic dish and repot your cut in potting dirt and office in a gay window or glasshouse until you are ready to replant elsewhere .
If you are growing bee balm from come , first make indisputable your bee balm seed is not from a hybrid cultivar , as they often do not cover true . found your seed in the very former bound when the grunge is still cool and there is still a chance of light frost . When your bee balm seedling plants have form at least two sets of true leave of absence , you may then dilute them down to 18 - 24″ asunder or transfer them to space them out as needed .
you may save seeded player from your bee balm plants , although if it ’s a crossbreed , it likely will not breed true . Generally , the seed are ready for harvest one to three week after the flowers have bloomed . Carefully place a paper bag at the foundation of your plant , and then softly bend a stalk over the traveling bag and knock it .
If brownish seeds light into the bag , the seed is ready to be collected . Allow the cum to dry out on composition towels in a well - air out environment for 3 - 4 daytime and then place them in an airtight sealed container in the icebox until quick to institute them .
Pruning Bee Balm
In the early spring , if you have base bee balm plants , it ’s right to twitch back their increment when they reach about 12″ magniloquent to push a pattern where bee balm spreads . All you have to do is gently hook off the top solidification of leafage from each stem . The flora will naturally spread wider before anthesis .
If you ’d like to further a foresightful floral display , stagger out that early pinching of your bee balm over a few weeks . Do about a third of your plants the first week , another third the second , and at last the remainder on the third week . Be certain to diffuse out the outgrowth over your whole garden so that you have even bloom distribution afterward .
If you have a large surface area of bee balm plants , you could opt to plainly prune the intact patch at once with a twosome of hand clipper or shear . Once it reach the 12″ height , you’re able to just equally trim it to about half its summit , which encourages lateral increment as well as more leafage plenty . Doing this should discourage your industrial plant from endure gangling or weedy in appearance .
As your bee balm flowers start to fade , you should deadhead bee balm just above the next flower bud to encourage further flowering . Once a stem has finished flowering , bring down it back down to the ground or squeeze it off . This will encourage the plant to send up another blossoming base .
In the fall or winter , you should prune bee balm after it has died back . Take it back down to just above the soil ’s surface . This allow you to clean up the utter flora material , prevent powdery mould , and perennial varieties will begin to show signs of unexampled increase in the late winter or early saltation again .
Troubleshooting
There are very few problem in grow bee balm . Realistically , it is an fabulously forgiving plant life , and it will tolerate a wide variety of situations , soil status , sunlight condition , and weather . However , bee balm is susceptible to a few pests and diseases .
Growing Problems
For some variety show of bee balm , territory that is n’t damp enough can be a wad breaker . For more domesticated Monarda ’s supply enough moisture to keep the dirt moist but not waterlogged . In cooler regions , full sun is a must . In hotter ones , some partial shade will help preclude singeing of leaves .
Sometimes you may seed a sales booth of bee balm , have a adorable flush in the growing time of year , and then see they do n’t emerge again . This could have to do with chick use up the seeded player . If you know doll like to give ear out in your yard , give excess semen , and cover it lightly with foliage or a thin stratum of sand or mulch . This will keep the birds out .
Pests
Bee balm can be susceptible to chaff borers , spider mite , andthrips .
straw borers do incisively what their name implies , as the larvae tunnel into the stalk of the bee balm plant . If you see a small maw with a yellow border in the stem , cut the stalk at least an in below the hole , and check inside the removed angry walk to see if the larva is inner . If it is , demolish that stalk . If the plant begins to wilt before you have capture the stalk bore bit and hit it , it is likely going to pass .
wanderer mites make yellowish spots on bee balm leaf by sucking out the plant life juices . There will also be super - fine webbing on the plants themselves . To battle these , utilise insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils likeneem oilto get rid of the spider jot .
Thrips do similar damage to what spider hint inflict , except they do not work up webbing on the bee balm plant surfaces . Neem oil and spinosad can slim down the population importantly .
Diseases
Bee balms are susceptible to powdery mildew . While powdery mould is not always disastrous to the plant , it block the flora ’s power to take in the sunlight ’s shaft of light and do photosynthesis , so it is best to treat it whenever potential . set aside for practiced air circulation around your bee balm flora to prevent powdery mildew , especially if you survive in a more humid environment . If necessary , regular applications of neem oil can wipe out powdery mildew .
away from powdery mildew , during the cold-blooded months of the year , bee balm can be susceptible to ascendent rot if the soil where it ’s planted is not well debilitate . To forfend this , ensure the land is very well debilitate beneath your flora , which will also promote proficient air circulation . Root rot is not something which can be treat , so be trusted to obviate it !
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Is bee balm edible ?
A : Yes . Above - reason portions of the plant life are eatable , and the leaves are used in cooking , although it may be bitter if used in a gravid quantity . It is used to mollify poultry or biz fowl . The flower flower petal make a beautiful addition to salad .
Q : Can it be used medicinally ?
A : Many Native American folk and early settlers to the United States used bee balm medicinally for digestive ailments and to treat bee bite . The Monarda specie turn back by nature - forming thymol , which is an antiseptic used in commercial-grade mouthwashes . In summation , the subspeciesMonarda citriodorahas naturally organise citronellol , allowing it to be used as an worm repellent by rubbing the bruised leaves onto one ’s skin .
Q : Is it an invasive plant species ?
A : If you do n’t contain it … yes ! Bee balm is a member of the mint family , and has all the same runner - like property that batch has . Divide off the industrial plant regularly to keep it doable , keep the runners trimmed , and it wo n’t take over your garden .
Q : What companion works farm well with bee balm ?
A : If you ’d wish to lure hummingbirds or a beneficial bug to your 1000 , planting bee balm alongside westerly columbine or silver salvia will help ! When merge with Joe Pye weed , bee balm can be a surefire bait for butterfly , too .
Q : Does bee balm come back each class ?
A : Monardas are hardy perennials , and will riposte annually .
Q : Does bee balm spread ?
A : An established stand of bee balm spreads into area around them if it is n’t controlled — assuming precondition are ripe for the flora . Use propagation and pruning method cite above to keep it in stop .
Q : What bugs does bee balm keep aside ?
A : Planting bee balm does n’t actually keep away insects , but attract pollinators and good insects that can help you keep in line pests . The oils in Monarda citriodora are a great mosquito - repellant when extract from the works through bruise or other extraction techniques .
Q : Is bee balm toxic to dogs ?
A : It is not toxic to pawl ! Therefore , it ’s a great plant for a pollinator garden buy at by pups .
