Let’s look at a short list of some of the types and the differences between them.Monarda bradburiana, ‘Eastern beebalm’This perennial variety has a lower cushion of rich green foliage, with lightly-toothed edges along oval leaves. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. When planting bee balms, select a site in full sun … Grow your bee balm plant in soil that is moist, slightly acidic and rich with organic materials to keep it healthy and better able to resist plant diseases such as powdery mildew. Today, we’ll go over some of the Monarda species of plants, and examine the differences between these different types of bee balm. If you’re looking to add color to your herb garden, plant it towards the center or rear of your garden space, as they will be taller than most annual herbs, and try growing thyme, basil, parsley, or chives around it. If the plant begins to wilt before you have caught the stalk borer and removed it, it is likely going to die. And so, to draw beneficial insects to our yards, we tend to use plants like bee balm. So if you don’t keep it reduced in size, it will gradually spread to take over the space that you have available. Portions of the plant above-ground are edible, and the leaves are often used as a flavoring in cooking, although it may be bitter if used in too large of a quantity. The spotted bee balm can be either an annual or a perennial depending on its environment. I created Epic Gardening to help teach 10,000,000 people how to grow anything, no matter where they live in the world. It can be susceptible to stalk borers, spider mites, and thrips. Unlike most fungal diseases, powdery mildew doesn't need water to spread; it can spread under conditions of high humidity. But an awful lot of bee balm varieties are naturally-growing wildflowers in the United States. Army Worms: Eliminating These Munching Menaces, Best Greenhouses: Cold-Weather Solutions For Your Plants. Once it reaches the 12″ height, you can just evenly trim it to about half its height, which encourages lateral growth as well as more leaf mass. A: Many Native American tribes and early settlers to the United States used bee balm medicinally. Keeping the soil damp but not wet should be adequate. Each flower cluster on its branch can produce between 20-50 flowers, and rests over brilliant green herbaceous foliage. Typically found in swampier environments such as riverbeds, this perennial has lance-shaped leaves and square stalks. Powdery mildew is one of the most common and easily recognized plant diseases. Bee balm can tolerate some drought, but prefers moist soil. This allows them to put on the best floral display and create dense growth. The annual known as basil bee balm is a native of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. There are very few problems in growing bee balm. Bee balm often forms a rather dense root ball in pots. This allows you to clean up the dead plant material, and perennial varieties will begin to show signs of new growth in the late winter or early spring again. Rising above, the flower stems tinge towards purple, and culminate in a lavender to light purple flower. It’s native to the central and southeast United States. But what is it, exactly? The good news is the plants will survive. In small garden settings, some varieties of bee balm can out-compete less aggressive neighbors, so be careful where you plant them. A wild perennial, the wild bergamot produces showy lavender or pink blossoms throughout the summer months. Bee balm is the common name for a fragrant flowering plant in the Monarda genus. Bee balm also thrives in areas that have partial shade to full sun. If you are growing from seed, first make sure your bee balm seed is not from a hybrid cultivar, as they often do not breed true. Bee Balm (Monarda) > Spots on leaves. In truth, although the plant is commonly called bee balm, its tubular flowers are much more attractive to pollinators like hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies, which have the long tongues required to reach the flowers nectar. Monardas don’t always like overly wet soil, so it’s important that your soil is able to drain off any excess water. The plants are only about 4 inches tall and the leaves on about half the plants have begun to turn brown and shrivel up. Bee balm is a member of the mint family, and has all the same runner-like properties that mint has. Home » Bee Balm: How To Plant, Grow, and Care for Monarda. In hotter areas of the south or southwestern US, a little afternoon shade will help the flowering season to last a bit longer and will protect the perennial varieties from the scorching heat of the afternoon. 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 scenting commercial teas. But let’s look a little closer at what the optimal conditions to grow bee balm are. Monarda punctata is a major draw for beneficial bugs, especially beneficial predatory wasps. The stem rises from the center of the plant and has multiple purple or purplish-pink florets stacked atop it. And finally, for nice blends of similar-sized plants, growing black-eyed Susans or echinaceas nearby can make your blooms similar in height, but if you want a lower flower beneath these, try a dwarf phlox along the base to add a spark of brightness beneath the larger blossoms. Grow your bee balm plant in soil that is moist, slightly acidic and rich with organic materials to keep it healthy and better able to resist plant diseases such as powdery mildew. Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. This is a common fungal disease on lilac, garden phlox, zinnia, squash and other vine crops and lilacs. A: The vast majority of species can be eaten, yes. To avoid this, ensure the soil is very well draining beneath your plant. Alternately, you can use a general-purpose organic fertilizer, either a slow-release granular form dug into the soil or a liquid formula. How to care for annual and perennial varieties, Talk about the historical uses of these plants. While you can divide bee balm as mentioned above in the repotting segment, it can also be grown from cuttings or from seeds. When you have the plants divided down to the size you desire, inspect the roots, trimming off any which appear slimy or partially-rotten. Pry it upward carefully until you can free the plant from its pot. An exception to this is Monarda media, which likes more moisture, but even then it does need room for the roots to breathe as well. In addition to having a pleasant taste, this herb has been used to treat colds and sore throats. One of the most important things to know about bee balm is that they are vigorous plants. Also called bergamot and Oswego tea, it was the plant the American colonists used when they stopped using black tea in protest of British taxation. In addition, the subspecies Monarda citriodora has naturally forming citronellol, allowing it to be used as an insect repellent by rubbing the bruised leaves onto one’s skin. Infected stems and flowers may be seriously deformed. In a sunny field or meadow, let plants spread and multiply to create a blanket of color. Stalk borers do exactly what their name implies, as the larvae tunnel into the stalk of the plant. There are many different cultivars which produce colors of medium to dark red, white, purple and pink flowers. Doing this should discourage your plants from going lanky or weedy in appearance. During the colder months of the year, bee balm can be susceptible to root rot if the soil where it’s planted is not well draining. In the early spring, if you have established plants, it’s good to pinch back their growth when they reach about 12″ tall to encourage lateral spreading. A little more about me. Take it back down to just above the soil’s surface. It’s a full sun plant, so in much of the United States, you can plant it in full sun to promote blooming. 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