6 Native Bee Balms to Grow for Gorgeous Color in the Garden - FineGardening
6 Native Bee Balms to Grow for Gorgeous Color in the Garden - FineGardening
Bee balm (Monarda spp. and cvs., Zones 4ā9) has long been a garden staple for its bold flower colors. The common name comes from the fact that the resin is a natural remedy to soothe the ache of bee stings. But this plant is better known in the gardening world for being a favorite of many pollinators, including bees. The popular species scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma, Zones 4ā9) is native to North America, as are some others. Here are six of my favorite nativar and native bee balms with colorful, vibrant, pollinator-attracting flowers.
āJacob Clineā bee balm
Monarda didyma āJacob Clineā, Zones 4ā9
Powdery mildew is an ongoing problem for many bee balms, particularly in situations of overcrowding or poor air circulation. āJacob Clineā is more resistant to powdery mildew than many other varieties. Discovered near the Blue Ridge Parkway, it was named by Jean Cline, a Georgia plantsman, in honor of his son, Jacob. Quite attractive to hummingbirds, the large 4-inch-wide crimson red flowers are typically at their peak in midsummer. Growing to a height of 4 feet, āJacob Clineā is a notorious wanderer, with one plant able to reach a width of over 3 feet after 3 years of establishment. Be prepared to edit it out of other plants should it decide to find its way into unwelcome territory.
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āRaspberry Wineā bee balm
Monarda didyma āRaspberry Wineā, Zones 4ā9
Introduced in 1992 by Darrell Probst and White Flower Farms, āRaspberry Wineā not only has large, 3-inch-wide raspberry red flowers, but a scent reminiscent of mint and basil. The color of the flowers is stunning, and they are covered with bees when in full bloom. This plant grows 30 to 42 inches tall and should be spaced 15 to 18 inches apart. It does have a tendency to spread. I have seen no significant mildew problems on this native cultivar, and itās easy to care for.
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āOn Paradeā bee balm
Monarda āOn Paradeā, Zones 4ā9
Tall and compact, āOn Paradeā grows 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, almost as large as a small shrub. The dense dark green leaves and magenta red flowers offer a solid show of color that is not produced by many other perennials. In bloom for up to four weeks in midsummer, it should be deadheaded regularly to extend the flowering season as long as possible. As with all bee balms, āOn Paradeā is tolerant of most soil types and a wide range of soil pH.
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āPardon My Ceriseā bee balm
Monarda didyma āPardon My Ceriseā, Zones 4ā9
If you are looking for a perennial to fit in a smaller space, turn to āPardon My Ceriseā bee balm. This plant has cherry-colored reddish-pink blooms and a diminutive size, growing 10 to 12 inches tall and wide. This makes it the perfect choice for the front of a border. Adored by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, it is useful in containers or as a filler plant in garden beds.
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Balmyā¢ Rose bee balm
Monarda didyma āBalbalmoseā, Zones 4ā9
Balmyā¢ Rose bee balm offers some of the best resistance to mildew of all the new native bee balm cultivars on the market. Very compact at 10 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide, the 2-inch-wide rosy to magenta pink blooms are fragrant and stand erect on strong, compact stems. This variety will not set seed or naturalize through your garden.
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Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa, Zones 3ā9
Wild bergamot is native to the continental United States with the exception of California and Florida. You will find this 3- to 4-foot-tall native on the fringes of woodlands and in open fields, where its flowers are an important source of nectar for pollinators. Itās hardy in Zones 3 to 9 and tolerant of drought as well as moist soil. Resistant to grazing by rabbits as well as deer, wild bergamot can even be planted beneath a black walnut tree (Juglans nigra, Zones 4ā9).
Whether grown for the benefit of pollinators or for the flowersā scent, color, or texture, bee balms are certainly a worthy addition to your garden. If you run out of space in your beds, consider a container where one would fit in for the season.
For more on bee balms, check out The Best of the Bee Balms. And for more Northern Plains regional reports, click here.
āMarti Neely, FAPLD, owns and operates Marti Neely Design and Associates in Omaha, Nebraska.