Bee Balm (Monarda)
[mo-NAR-dah]

Deciduous Perennial in the Lamiaceae Family

About Bee Balms

Bee balm is the garden's firecracker—bold, fragrant, and buzzing with life. Its wild, shaggy blooms look like nature’s punk rock hairdo, and pollinators can’t get enough. Hummingbirds? Obsessed. Bees? Ecstatic. You? Delighted. There are several native Monardas, and a growing number of cultivars...  All are low-maintenance, and smells like minty heaven. Grow bee balm—your garden party just got a headliner.

Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to the North Carolina mountains, it may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway flowering during the summer months. 

Monarda smells very similar to the rind of a Bergamot Orange, one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea. You’ll smell the spicy herbal notes on the air if you get anywhere near this plant, and its leaves can be used in salads or a tea of its own to enjoy more of this unique scent.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Bee balm can reach a height of 4 feet and will spread rapidly by underground stolons. Blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and the leaves have a minty aroma when crushed. 
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 48 inches tall. 12 - 36 inches wide.
Moisture Tolerance The first sign that your bee balm is in trouble will be drooping leaves. Unless you are getting regular rainfall, water the plant with at least an inch of water per week.
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Formal Garden, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Medium, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Pond, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Well-Drained Soil, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Spring - Fall
Animals That Use It

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Rankings
 

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More Info from Experts

Bee Balm Available Now
Beebalm - Jacob Cline
(Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline')
From $12.13

Eastern Beebalm
(Monarda bradburiana)
From $14.22

Wild Bergamot
(Monarda fistulosa)
From $60.45

Petite Delight Beebalm
(Monarda didyma 'Petite Delight')
From $12.13

Dotted Beebalm
(Monarda punctata)
From $60.45
Fireball Wild Beramot
(Monarda didyma 'Fireball')
From $58.41

Raspberry Wine Beebalm
(Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine')
From $8.75

Marshall's Delight Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Marshall's Delight')
From $11.74

Mojo Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Mojo')
From $11.74

Grand Marshall Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'AChall' GRAND MARSHALL)
From $10.25

Balmy Pink Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Balbalmink' BALMY PINK)
From $69.30

Balmy Purple Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Balbalmurp' BALMY PURPLE)
From $69.30

Coral Reef Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Coral Reef')
From $12.13

Pardon My Cerise Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Cerise')
From $15.54

Pardon My Purple Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Purple')
From $15.54

Blue Moon Bee Balm
(Monarda 'Blue Moon')
From $67.41

Purple Rooster Bee Balm
(Monarda 'Purple Rooster')
From $69.30

Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops Bee Balm
(Monarda didyma 'Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops')
From $67.41

Bee-You Bee True Bee Balm
(Monarda 'Bee-True')
From $15.85

Bee-You Bee Happy Beebalm
(Monarda 'Bee-Happy')
From $69.30

Bee Lieve Bee Balm
(Monarda 'Bee-Lieve')
From $69.30

Midnight Oil Beebalm
(Monarda bradburiana 'Midnight Oil')
From $15.85

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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