![]() The distinctive "spiky hairdo" blooms are among their chief selling points, along with the plants' ability to attract bees, butterflies, songbirds, and hummingbirds to the garden landscape. This native plant is beloved by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies Learn how to plant and grow bee balm. The real surefire plants designed to appeal to hummingbirds are deep tube-shaped flowers. Catherine Boeckmann JSign up for daily gardening advice and tips A perennial favorite, bee balm ( Monarda spp.), aka wild bergamot, flowers in mid- to late summer. These attract bees, butterflies and other insects, along with hummingbirds. Some, like Queen Anne’s lace and zinnias, produce nectar on their shallow clusters of flowers. But while the foliage is not particularly attractive, bee balms produce profuse hairy clusters of scarlet, pink, white, lavender, or purple tubular petals in terminal whorls, often with colored bracts, through a good portion of the summer. Nectar is nothing more than sugar water produced naturally by all kinds of flowers. ![]() Bee balm is a somewhat weedy plant growing 10 inches to 4 feet tall, with oval leaves that are downy on the undersides. didyma as the principal parent, but there is often genetic contribution from other species, as well. Most named varieties sold as "Monarda" are hybrids with M. Of the 15 or so species within the genus, the varieties sold in garden centers are usually hybrids and cultivars based on three species. Prized for its bright, vibrant flowers and long bloom season, bee balm comprises several species of native North American wildflower from the Monarda genus. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.During its first year in your garden, it’s crucial to keep to a regular watering schedule so it can establish a strong root system.įertilizing: Soil rich in organic nutrients should give bee balm what it needs during the first year or two, but it can benefit from the addition of a balanced organic fertilizer if soil is not being amended regularly with compost or rotted manure. Soil that is allowed to substantially dry out can contribute to summertime problems with powdery mildew and weaken the plant. Watering: Bee-balm prefers evenly moist, well-draining soil. If your garden battles high winds in summer, it would be advisable to create a string and stake network for the plant to grow through at planting time. Staking: Taller cultivars of bee balm occasionally need staking, but usually the strong square stems do a good job of keeping it upright and stray outer stems can be cut off. Growth Habit: Bee balm can grow up to 4 ft tall with a spread of 3-4 ft, but dwarf varieties top out at just 15 inches, with a spread of 18-24 inches. How to Grow Bee Balm Throughout the Season Either time of year works well however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, it's best to trim back the foliage to encourage the plant to focus its energy towards the roots. Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. The crown of the plant should be approximately 1 inches below the rim of the pot. Remove the plant from the nursery container and place it on top of the soil in the new pot. Water the soil and allow any excess water to drain. It will intensively spread over a season via a mat of underground stems (stolons), but can be kept under control by regular digging and dividing. Using a well-drained soil fill a 7 10-gallon pot about one-third full. Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.īee balm is in the mint family, and absolutely lives up to the family name. Boggy conditions are not tolerated, nor are soils that are allowed to dry out for long periods of time. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens. Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ![]() Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time. If you cannot plant them at once in permanent positions, shallowly heel them into a temporary position and keep them well-watered until transplanting. Plant them as soon as they arrive in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. Bee balm is available to plant in the spring and fall.
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