| Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma) - Type: Perennial in zones 4 to 9
- Planting time: spring or fall
- Features: showy whorled blooms; leaves have aroma of orange and spice
- Height: 36 to 48 inches
- Light: full sun; partial shade in hot climates
- Soil: rich, moist, pH 6.0 to 6.7
- Spacing: 18 inches
- Uses: attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, bees; in teas; flower borders
Monarda, or bee balm, is a member of the mint family with a delicate beauty but rugged longevity. The whorled flowers come in lavender, red, or pink. A favorite of bees, it’s a good companion for squash and other plants that depend on bees for pollination. Give it room to multiply and share the divisions with friends. Because it is perennial, the flower show only gets better in the second and later years. You may also hear bee balm called bergamot and Oswego tea. This is a great, all-round, tough plant for flower and vegetable gardeners as well as hummingbird watchers. |
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