Bee balm is a must-have for pollinator gardens.
An Overview of the Bee Balm Plant
Bee balm, also called monarda or bergamot, is a classic garden perennial that’s a must-have for cottage, cutting and pollinator gardens, as well as naturalised areas. Learn more about:
● The benefits of planting bee balm plants in flower beds and perennial gardens
● Uses of bee balm
● Garden design with bee balm plants
● Favourite bee balm plants
● How to plant your bee balm plant
● How to care for bee balm plants
The Benefits of Bee Balm Flowers
A native plant to North American, bee balm is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the mint family. Though unlike some mint plants, it’s quite manageable. Bee balm plants have sturdy, square stems and ovate leaves that are delightfully aromatic, especially when crushed. The plants have a mounding habit and, depending on the cultivar, can grow up to 4 ft. tall. Some new varieties, though, are more compact and only grow up to 12 inches tall.
Bee balm flowers open atop the stems throughout the summer and into early fall. The flowers come in a range of colours, including pinks, reds, lilacs, lavenders, whites, mauves and even blue-hued tones. The flowers have fringe-like petals, giving them a carefree, whimsical appearance. Reaching up the 4 inches across, the flowers look striking in garden settings, containers and cut-flower arrangements.
A low-maintenance perennial, bee balm has a long blooming period, giving your garden up to 8 weeks of colour in the summer and early fall. The bee balm plant is treasured for attracting beneficial bees as well as other pollinators including butterflies and hummingbirds who come to feast on its nectar. Colorful flowers, fragrance that floats on the summer air and butterflies fluttering about all make your garden come alive—and delight your senses.
Gardeners also love bee balm plants because it’s one of those plants that rabbits and deer tend to ignore.
How to Plant Bee Balm
Find well drained soil.
Bee balm plants aren’t super fussy and will grow in a variety of soils, including acidic, clay, loamy and sandy soils, as long as the soil is well drained. The roots don’t like to stand in soggy, wet soils.
Be mindful of air flow and spacing.
To protect against powdery mildew, plant them where they’ll have good air circulation. Avoid overcrowding or planting them right next to a wall.
Soak the bee balm plant in water.
When planting a bareroot bee balm plant, soak the plant in cold to lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.
Prepare the soil.
If planting in the garden, prepare the soil with a spade or rototiller, and mix in about a 2-inch layer of dehydrated manure, garden compost and Breck’s Food for Bulbs and Perennials. If planting in a container, use a good potting soil mix.
Dig a hole and spread the roots.
Make a hole large enough to place the root so the top of the plant is in the proper position. Spread the roots on the surface of the soil at the bottom of the hole.
Fill in the soil and water the bee balm.
Carefully fill around and between the roots. Then press the soil so the plant is firmly set and all air pockets have been eliminated. Water the plant thoroughly.
Plan ongoing care of your bee balm plant.
Once the plant is growing, plan to water the plant weekly (depending on how much rainfall you receive). A good rule of thumb is that the plant should receive about 1 inch of water per week.
How to Care for Bee Balm Plants
Bee balm plants are fast-growing and relatively low maintenance, especially once they are established. During that first year, make sure the soil around the plant isn’t allowed to dry out.
You’ll also have to take steps to prevent powdery mildew. The best way to prevent this is to not overcrowd your garden and make sure your bee balm flowers receive plenty of air circulation. Also, don’t let your plants become stressed by letting them dry out. Stressed plants are more susceptible to disease.
Once the bee balm plant blooms in the summer, you can encourage additional blooms by cutting back the spent flowers.
Bee balm plants come back and multiply every year. Most gardeners divide their bee balm plants about every 3-4 years. After dividing your plants, plant them in another flower bed or share some with your gardening friends.
Fun Historical Facts about Bee Balm in North America
Native Americans revered the bee balm plant for its healing properties. European colonists fell in love with this part herb, part ornamental beauty after the Boston Tea Party. That’s when they started using garden bee balm as a replacement for imported Chinese tea. Bee balm tea became a popular drink in colonial homes and a popular flower in the garden.
Some Other Uses of Bee Balm Plants
While the bee balm flower is gorgeous in the garden and a great way to attract pollinators and hummingbirds, this hardy, easy-to-grow plant has other uses too. A few favorites include:
● Use some of the leaves to make a soothing tea. Just boil and steep a few dried leaves.
● The edible flowers have a slightly spicy flavor and can be used in salads. They also add color as a garnish or pastry topper.
● Bee balm has antimicrobial properties so it’s often used for home remedies for colds, sore throats and more.
● When bee balm stems and leaves are crushed they release a fragrant oil that repels mosquitoes.
● Want to soothe an insect bite, rash or sunburn? Try boiling bee balm leaves in water, then strain and cool the water.
Where to Plant Bee Balm: Sun or Shade?
Bee balm flowers are sun perennials and grow best in full sun to partial shade. So you’ll want to pick out a sunny location. If you’re gardening in the South, you may want to protect your bee balm plant from the direct, hot afternoon sun as it might cause the flowers to fade.
Bee balm plants are hardy in zones 4 to 9, and can be grown in many areas of the United States. The fast-growing, perennial plants return and multiply every year. While bee balm plants can tolerate most types of soil, as long as it’s well-drained, they don’t like standing in water. Also, the plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, so make sure they have lots of air circulation and aren’t overcrowded.
Garden Design with Bee Balm Flowers
Bee balm plants fit into a range of gardening styles. They’re a favorite for cottage gardens, herb gardens, pollinator gardens, naturalized areas, and cutting gardens. Planting them near a walkway allows garden visitors to enjoy their vibrant flowers, fragrance, and the fluttering butterflies and hummingbirds that they attract.
Bee balm flowers can be planted in small or large groups. For a solid wave of color, plant several bee balm plants of the same variety in a group. For a rainbow effect, plant a mass of several different colors.
The smaller bee balm varieties—those growing up to 12 inches tall—are perfect for smaller spaces in the garden, front borders, and rock gardens. They’re also delightful for container gardening. They look right at home in decorative containers, window boxes and patio pots—and add wonderful summer color. Place a few near entrances to welcome visitors.
Favourite Bee Balm Choices for Your Garden
Thanks to modern plant breeding, you have more choices in colour and size than ever before. Below are a few favorites to consider for your garden.
One of the easiest and most economical ways to start a pollinator garden, the Bee Balm Collection includes 10 bareroot plants and five different varieties of bee balm. So you can enjoy splashes of white, red, pink, lilac and more.
Create a cool sensation with summer flowers in hues of pink-lilac, blue and red-purple.
Grow up to 12 inches tall, the compact plants are our favourites for containers and front borders.
