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The bee balm flora is an endemicNorth American native . This flowering perennial will not only return year after year , but it will also spread because it ego - sows . A member of the mint class , bee balm goes by many name , include Oswego afternoon tea , Monarda punctata , and Citrus bergamia .
Loved by gardeners because it ’s one of the best hummingbird plant and also attracts butterflies , bee balm also curries favour for its fragrant foliage and whorled blooms in red , pink , purple , or white . An easy - care plant , it can grow up to 4 human foot tall , with a facing pages of 3 to 4 feet .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Growing Bee Balm at a Glance
Common Name : Bee balmScientific Name : Monarda didymaHardiness Zone : Zones 3 through 9Soil : Rich , constitutional , well - draining grime ; pH 6.0 to 6.7Light : Full Lord’s Day , but will tolerate part shadeWater : Likes to be evenly moist , but not excessively wet ; drought - tolerantFood : Balanced fertilizer or from soil amended with compost , manure , or other organic materialPropagation : Seed , stem film editing , or divisionSafety : Nontoxic to people and animals
Bee Balm Characteristics
Bee balm , orMonarda , displays informal , mop - like efflorescence pass with tubular petal in red , pink , purple , or white . A member of the mint kinsperson , it has a minty or citrusy scent thatrepels mosquitoesbutattracts the pollinator it feeds , let in bees , butterflies , and hummingbird . Although this North American native perennial attracts more butterfly stroke andhummingbirdsthan it does bees , it gets its name from historic use as an antidote for bee stings .
Preferring full sun , the tight - growing bee balmtolerates fond shade , peculiarly in hot regions , although it is not one of the best flowering plants for shadowiness . It likes moist grunge , but not “ fuddled feet . ”
BecauseMonardaspreads by self - seeding and cloak-and-dagger rootstalk , it will take to be divided every few years to keep it looking its best . Deadhead bee balmfor continue bloom .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Recommended Bee Balm Varieties
Bee balm is a standout amongplants that attract hummingbirdsand butterfly . Interbreeding species resulted in the growing of at least 50 commercial cultivars of bee balm . Here are a few popular varieties :
Planting Bee Balm
Bee balm can be a outstanding addition to apollinator garden , a blossom bed , or acontainer garden . Because it want occasional dividing , there ’s plenty to imbed . Here are some suggestions about how and when to plant bee balm .
When is the best time to plant bee balm?
The best time to embed bee balm is in the spring once all chance of frost has passed , or in the fall before yourfirst frost particular date . If planting this fast - growing perennial in the declivity , trim down the foliage to promote the flora to direct its vim to install roots in its new spot .
Where can bee balm grow?
Bee balm can uprise in sunny locations with moist , rich ground that drain well . It can tolerate fond shade , particularly in hot mood . It works well toward the back of margin behind low - growingannuals or perennialsthat can shroud its sparsely overlay “ stage , ” but it should n’t be overcrowded .
Good choices for bee balmcompanion plantsinclude variegated phlox , daylilies , peonies , roses , echinacea , black - eyed Susan , and , in the vegetable garden , squash and tomato .
How do you plant bee balm?
plant bee balm is pretty straight . Here are some tips :
Can you grow bee balm in containers?
Bee unguent can be successfully grown in container , given the right conditions . Plant singly in a container that ’s sized right , or works as the centrepiece in a larger container or tub filled with familiar plants in fat , organic stain . Because bee balm spreads and can reach 2 to 4 feet high-pitched , it should be planted in a 5- to 10 - gallon pot that is crack - substantiation and weather - resistant .
see proper drainage and place bee balm in a sunny mise en scene where it will get expert air travel circulation . Be certain to irrigate when the top inch of dirt feels teetotal because bee balm prefer not to be dry for too long . Water less often in fall as the works prepares for hibernation .
Watering Bee Balm
Bee balm plant like evenly moist soil that drains well . They do not like pie-eyed substructure . Although bee balm can tolerate drouth , specially once make , dry conditions can give rise to government issue such as powdery mildew , fewer blooms , smaller leaves , and a in general weak plant . Insufficient water effect in leaf curl , droop leaves , or brown or scorched leaves . Drought causes tension , resulting in slower antecedent maturation , small leaves , and fewer blooms .
steady lacrimation aid new plants develop a potent ascendant system . Generally , bee balm requires about an in of body of water per week . Overwateringcan have root rot and diseases such as mildew .
Fertilizing Bee Balm
If your land has mickle of organic nutrient , you most likely wo n’t need to fertilise bee balm ; the plants do n’t call for frequent or heavy fertilization . However , a small amount of a balanced10 - 10 - 10 granular fertilizeradministered in the leaping should n’t hurt . Be careful not to overfertilize , though , because it will decrease unfolding and could contribute to powdery mildew .
The addition of compost or manure in the spring can benefit both the grease and the bee balm plant .
Pruning Bee Balm
you’re able to pinch back the top circle of leaves when the plant reaches about 12 inch in high spirits if you need to encourage sidelong growing . For tolerant swaths of bee balm , employ shear to trim about half the height of the plants . This will help them from becoming lanky — a vernacular issue with bee balm . If you do n’t prune bee balm , you may want to stake industrial plant to keep them erect .
When does bee balm bloom ? It typicallystarts flowering in July , persist in through late summertime . Thus , pruning ahead of time can encourage sidelong growth that should produce more blooms .
After frost has killed foliage in late capitulation or winter , you should crop the dead foliage down to just above the soil line .
Photo:etsy.com
Propagating Bee Balm
you may propagate using bee balm seeds , but since hybrid are not unfeigned to seed , the best method for predictable consequence is division .
In other spring , dig the rhizomes around the edge of the clump after new shoots have begun to break ground . absent the dirt and either pull or slew clumps aside , go away two or three shoot per divided clump . Division can reduce overcrowding and reinvigorate older plants , and it should be done every 2 to 3 old age .
Take fore cuttings from new growth in late springtime . Dip a 6 - in cutting inrooting hormoneand place in a pot with perlite , vermiculite , and peat moss . urine and cover with credit card .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Safety Considerations
No parts of the bee balm peak or foliage are toxic to humans or animals . In fact , bee balm is used for tea and also for its antiseptic belongings . All above - reason parts are comestible . The folio and flowers , which can be eat up raw or cooked , have a minty taste .
Although they may be attracted by its scent , cad , horses , and most stock typically do n’t like the bitter taste of this herb . Cats are sometimes drawn to the warm citrous fruit fragrance and flavour similar to oregano .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Powdery mildew is the most vulgar fungal disease that attacks bee balm , leaving a telling powdery white or grey residuum on the leave ; humidity is unremarkably the cause . The plant can be curve back to rid it of the issue . Alternatively , you’re able to apply a fungicide orNeem oil , but the good treatment is bar by providing sufficient air circulation and avoiding overhead watering .
Rust fungus sometimes hap and is treatable with a fungicide . Root rot can go on if the soil does n’t drain well .
Bee balm is n’t bothered by many pests because its scent repels them . However , husk borers , wanderer mites , andthripscan be a job . rock drill burrow into the stalk ; ruin or absent the unnatural stalk can block the problem , but if you drop it , the flora will droop and die .
Photo:etsy.com
wanderer mites suck out the plant ’s juices , sour leave of absence yellow-bellied . They can also be discover by the fine web they manufacture . Insecticidal soapsand horticultural oils like Neem can kill them . Thrip terms looks similar , without the vane .
Preparing Bee Balm for Winter
Once hoarfrost has killed the leafage in late fall or wintertime , cut of meat stems back to 2 inches above the soil line of merchandise . Remove junk to prevent fungal spores . If you do n’t want bee balm to spread by self - sowing , cut the plant back before it drops come . If you desire to encourage spreading — and if you want to providewinter solid food for the birds — leave behind the seed heads on the plants .
Unless located in ahardiness zonewith extremely stale winter temperature , no aegis is necessary . In inhuman mood , mulch the crown to protect the roots against freeze out - thaw cycles . take out the mulch in the outpouring .
Looking for more pollinator - attracting plant ? Check out our guides on growingmilkweed , lantana , andzinnias .
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