Bee balm, also known as monarda, is a gorgeous perennial flower that deserves a spot in every garden. With its bright, colorful blooms that last all summer long and its ability to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, bee balm is a must for any gardener looking to cultivate a lively and beautiful outdoor space. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about bee balm plants and where to find the highest quality bee balm for sale online and in nurseries.
An Overview of Bee Balm Plants
Bee balm plants belong to the monarda genus in the Lamiaceae or mint family There are over 20 species of monarda, all native to North America and prized for their medicinal and ornamental qualities The most popular bee balm species grown in home gardens are Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm), Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), and Monarda citriodora (lemon bee balm).
These clump-forming perennials grow 2 to 4 feet tall on rigid square stems clothed in aromatic, minty foliage. From early to late summer, bee balm erupts with dense, globular flower heads made up of dozens of tubular florets in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. The flowers have a lovely, sweet fragrance that smells like a mix of mint, lemon, and bergamot orange.
In addition to its vibrant blooms, bee balm is treasured for being deer and rabbit resistant and attracting pollinators in droves. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds simply cannot resist feasting on the nectar-rich flowers. The “bee balm” moniker comes from the plant’s historical use by beekeepers to attract swarms of honeybees.
Growing Conditions for Bee Balm Plants
One of the best things about bee balm is that it thrives in a wide variety of climates and soil types. This tough, adaptable perennial can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, handling cold winters as low as -30°F and hot, humid summers.
Bee balm grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot southern regions. It prefers slightly acidic, well-draining soil and requires an average amount of moisture. While bee balm can handle short periods of drought once established, you’ll get the lushest growth and maximum blooms with weekly watering. Too much moisture can lead to root rot in poorly drained sites.
Where to Buy Bee Balm Plants
Now that you know all about the vibrant blooms and easy care of bee balm, you probably can’t wait to add some plants to your own garden! Here are some of the best places to buy bee balm plants for sale:
Online Nurseries
Buying plants online offers convenience and the widest selection of bee balm varieties. Reputable online nurseries like American Meadows, Nature Hills Nursery, and Wilson Bros Gardens sell premium potted bee balm plants ready to be shipped and planted as soon as they arrive on your doorstep. You’ll find rare, unique bee balm cultivars along with customer favorites like ‘Jacob Cline’ and ‘Raspberry Wine’ from these online sources.
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Visit your local independent nurseries and garden centers to hand select bee balm plants in person. A knowledgeable staff can help you pick out the best varieties for your region and growing conditions. You may also find some unusual bee balm types that aren’t available from the large online retailers.
Farmers Markets and Plant Sales
Check out local farmers markets and native plant sales in your area. These events often have vendors selling pots of region-specific native bee balm species and cultivars grown from local wild populations. Purchasing native plants sourced close to home is a great way to support your local ecology.
Mail Order Nurseries
For the widest selection of bee balm plants and hard-to-find varieties, look through the catalogs of mail order nurseries like Bluestone Perennials, White Flower Farm, and High Country Gardens. These nurseries ship healthy potted plants or dormant bare roots across the U.S.
Divisions and Cuttings from Fellow Gardeners
Ask your gardening friends, neighbors, or community gardeners for bee balm divisions or cuttings to start new plants for free! Most bee balm varieties readily self-sow and spread in ideal growing conditions, so you can likely find someone willing to share.
How to Plant and Care for Bee Balm
Planting bee balm in your garden is simple, but proper care is key to keeping plants healthy and maximizing blooms. Follow these tips when adding bee balm to your landscape:
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Select a planting spot with full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Amend soil with compost prior to planting if needed.
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Plant in spring after the last frost date or in fall 6-8 weeks before first frost. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in groups or staggered rows.
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Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot or root ball. Carefully remove from pot, loosen roots, and place in hole.
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Backfill hole with soil, firming gently around plant. Water thoroughly after planting.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish as needed.
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Water bee balm weekly to keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Increase water in extreme heat.
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Cut back spent flower stems after first bloom flush to encourage reblooming. Leave some flowers for seeds and winter interest.
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Divide large clumps every 2-3 years in spring to control spread. Replant divisions or gift extras.
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Prune bee balm back to 6 inches in late fall prior to dormancy. Remove and destroy diseased or insect-ridden foliage.
The Best Bee Balm Varieties to Grow
With so many different types of bee balm on the market, it can be tricky choosing the right ones for your garden. Here are 10 amazing bee balm varieties that are sure to impress:
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‘Jacob Cline’ – The most popular! Features bright red blooms on mildew-resistant plants.
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‘Raspberry Wine’ – Brilliant raspberry-pink flowers with purple stems and a long bloom period.
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‘Pink Lace’ – Prolific blooms of light pink with darker pink speckles. A hummingbird magnet!
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‘Marshall’s Delight’ –Vibrant pink flowers and disease resistance. Blooms from early summer to frost.
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‘Scarlet Monarda’ – aka Monarda didyma. The classic red bee balm with particularly sweet nectar.
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‘Petite Delight’ – A dwarf variety that only reaches 14 inches tall. Great for containers.
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‘Peter’s Purple’ – Rich royal purple blooms. Highly mildew and disease resistant.
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Wild Bergamot – The pretty lavender native species. Adaptable and easy to grow.
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‘Coral Reef’ – Coral pink blooms on compact, mildew-resistant 18 inch plants.
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‘Balmy Purple’ – Unique deep purple bottlebrush-like flowers. A standout variety.
No matter which bee balm varieties you choose, these rugged, wildlife-friendly perennials are sure to bring stunning color, fragrance, and pollinator activity into your landscape. Happy (bee) gardening!
When & Where to Plant Bee BalmBee balm is available to plant in the spring and fall. Plant them as soon as they arrive in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. If you cannot plant them at once in permanent positions, shallowly heel them into a temporary position and keep them well-watered until transplanting.
Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens. Boggy conditions are not tolerated, nor are soils that are allowed to dry out for long periods of time.
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Bee balm is in the mint family, and absolutely lives up to the family name. 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.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. Either time of year works well; however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, its best to trim back the foliage to encourage the plant to focus its energy towards the roots.
How to Grow Bee Balm Throughout the Season
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.
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. 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.
Watering: Bee-balm prefers evenly moist, well-draining soil. Soil that is allowed to substantially dry out can contribute to summertime problems with powdery mildew and weaken the plant. 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.
Fertilizing: 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.
Mulching: Mulch is a great idea for bee balm as it is loves moist soil, is shallowly rooted, and tends to crowd itself out. Sometimes even a sprinkling of good soil will suffice in a pinch; however, a two-inch layer of organic material such as well-rotted manure, compost, or double-shred hardwood will preserve the moisture bee balm loves in order to stay beautiful.
Trimming & Pruning: Deadheading bee-balm will encourage the plant to continue to set blooms from lower nodes late into the summer season. For best results, make sure to do so on a regular basis, and not just at the end of the first flush of bloom.
Pests & Disease: The major enemy of bee balm is powdery mildew, which is a fungal disease that attacks when heat and humidity pair up – particularly with drier conditions in the garden.
Monarda ‘Cherry Pops’ (Bee Balm) // Super, Easy to Grow Native, Attracts Pollinators Hummingbirds
FAQ
What month do you plant bee balm?
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. 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.
Does bee balm come back every year?
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Perennial Nature:Bee balm (also known as Monarda) is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and will typically die back to the ground in the winter but return in the spring.
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Spreading and Division:Bee balm is a vigorous grower and can spread via underground stems (stolons), so it may need to be divided every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor.
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Winter Hardiness:Bee balm is winter hardy in USDA Zones 3-9, meaning it can withstand cold temperatures and return in the spring.
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Care:Cut back dead stems in the fall and remove any fallen foliage to prevent disease and promote new growth in the spring.
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Attracting Pollinators:Bee balm is a great addition to a pollinator garden, attracting bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies with its vibrant blooms and fragrant aroma.
What are common problems with bee balm?
The most common diseases to attack bee balm are all fungal and easily controlled using simple cultural methods. Powdery mildew, rust, and Southern blight strike bee balm when the air temperature and humidity levels are just right for them to survive.
Where is the best place to plant bee balm?
Where to Plant Bee Balm Bee balm performs best in full sun but will bloom in partial sun (4 to 6 hours) as well. In the partial sun, taller varieties tend to get leggy so support will be helpful. Plant it in rich, well-draining soil about 18 to 24 inches apart.
Why should you buy bee balm plants online?
Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will thank you for planting them! Rest assured, when you buy Bee Balm plants for sale online from Wilson Bros Gardens, we safely ship the highest quality container-grown specimens that are ready upon arrival to plant and thrive for years to come in your gardens – Guaranteed!
What is a bee balm?
One ornamental plant that helps brighten a garden with its vivid and attractive flowers is bee balm. Bee balm, otherwise known as wild bergamot or Monarda, is an outstanding flowering perennial commonly used in flower beds or pollinator gardens for its picturesque and charming whorled blooms of red, purple, white, or pink.
Where can I get free shipping on bee balm outdoor plants?
Get free shipping on qualified Bee Balm Outdoor Plants products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Outdoors Department.
Is bee balm a perennial?
Bee balm, otherwise known as wild bergamot or Monarda, is an outstanding flowering perennial commonly used in flower beds or pollinator gardens for its picturesque and charming whorled blooms of red, purple, white, or pink. Its equally attractive foliage emits an evocative fragrance that adds value to its overall desirability.
Are bee balms easy to grow?
Generally, bee balms are easy to grow as long as proper planting conditions and care are given. These plants thrive best under full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Though bee balms tolerate partial shade, flowering can be scarce, and the plants can be more susceptible to powdery mildew (4).
Why should you plant bee balm?
Bee Balm (Monarda) is valued for its beauty, medicinal uses, and pollinator-attracting powers. It is a favorite among hummingbirds and butterflies due to its spectacular crown-shaped flowers, which come in various pink, red, and purple colors.