Bee balm, Monarda, is a wildflower native to North America and a member of the mint family. You can find it growing alongside the road or in rocky wooded areas, and even in your neighbor’s well-groomed landscape. Its blooms range in color from deep burgundy and fuchsia to pale purple, sitting atop a long stem studded with emerald green leaves. In this article, we will learn more about the bee balm plant, its characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks.
What is Bee Balm?
Bee balm is a herbaceous perennial that reproduces both sexually and asexually by means of its seeds and creeping stems. The plant is erect or sprawling, and can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) in height. The stems are square, hairy, and sometimes reddish. The leaves are opposite, simple, ovate to lanceolate, and toothed. They are green, silver, or yellow, and have a variegated pattern of white or yellow spots or stripes. The flowers are tubular, two-lipped, and four-lobed. They are yellow, sometimes with brown or red markings, and have a hooded upper lip and a spreading lower lip. They are arranged in whorls or clusters, and bloom from late spring to early summer. The fruits are nutlets that contain one or two seeds.
There are several varieties and cultivars of bee balm, some of which have different flower colors, sizes, or shapes. For example, the ‘Jacob Cline’ cultivar has bright red flowers and mildew-resistant foliage, the ‘Marshall’s Delight’ cultivar has pink flowers and a strong fragrance, and the ‘Petite Delight’ cultivar has lavender-pink flowers and a compact habit. Some cultivars and hybrids are also more resistant to pests and diseases, such as powdery mildew and rust.
| Bee Balm | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Monarda |
| Common name | Bee balm, wild bergamot, horsemint, Oswego tea |
| Plant type | Herbaceous perennial |
| Mature size | 10 to 120 cm (4 to 48 in) tall and wide |
| Sun exposure | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil type | Well-drained, moist, rich |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0) |
| Bloom time | Late spring to early summer |
| Flower color | Yellow, red, pink, purple, white, or multicolored |
| Flower shape | Tubular, two-lipped, four-lobed |
| Foliage color | Green, silver, or yellow |
| Foliage shape | Opposite, simple, ovate to lanceolate, toothed |
| Hardiness zones | 3 to 9 (USDA) |
| Native area | North America |
How to Grow Bee Balm
Bee balm is a easy and versatile plant that can grow in almost any garden. It can tolerate a range of soil and light conditions, and can survive drought, frost, and pests. It can also self-seed and spread by rhizomes, making it a good choice for naturalizing or filling large areas. However, it can also become invasive or aggressive in some situations, so it is important to control its growth and prevent its escape.
To grow bee balm, you can either start from seeds, cuttings, or divisions. Seeds can be sown indoors in late winter or early spring, or outdoors in late spring or early summer. Cuttings can be taken from young stems in spring or summer, and rooted in moist soil or water. Divisions can be done in spring or fall, by digging up the clumps and separating them into smaller pieces. You can also buy bee balm plants from nurseries or garden centers, and transplant them to your desired location.
Bee balm prefers a sunny spot with well-drained, moist, rich soil, but it can also tolerate some shade and poor soil. It does not need much water or fertilizer, as it can thrive in natural conditions. However, it may benefit from some mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and some compost or organic fertilizer in the spring to boost its growth and flowering. It can also be deadheaded to prolong its blooming period and prevent self-seeding, and pruned to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and flowers.
How to Use Bee Balm?
Bee balm is a multipurpose plant that can be used for various purposes. It is mainly grown as an ornamental plant, especially for borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, or wildflower meadows. It can also be grown in containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes, or as a cut or dried flower. It can create a beautiful and striking display with its flowers and foliage, and provide a contrast to other plants with different shapes or textures.
Bee balm is also a useful plant for wildlife, as it provides food and shelter for many insects, birds, and small mammals. It is especially attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. It can also host some caterpillars, such as those of the wild indigo duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae) and the frosted elfin (Callophrys irus). The seeds and leaves can be eaten by some birds, such as cardinals, quails, and sparrows, and the plant can also offer cover and nesting material for them. Moreover, the plant can help to prevent soil erosion and improve soil quality, as it has a deep root system and can fix nitrogen.
Bee balm is also a medicinal plant, as it has been used for various ailments in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and laxative properties, and can be used to treat skin problems, such as boils, ulcers, or wounds, respiratory problems, such as cough, asthma, or bronchitis, digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, or indigestion, and nervous problems, such as insomnia, anxiety, or headache. It can also be used to reduce fever, pain, swelling, and bleeding. The leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds can be made into a tea, a decoction, a tincture, or a poultice, and applied externally or internally as needed. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before using bee balm for medicinal purposes, as it may have some side effects or interactions with other drugs.
Bee balm is not only a decorative plant, but also a culinary one, with a flavor that combines mint and citrus. It can be used as a herb or a spice in various dishes, such as salads, soups, stews, sauces, jams, or desserts. It can also be used to make vinegar, wine, liqueur, or candy. The leaves and flowers can be eaten, but they should be used in small amounts and fresh, as they can lose their flavor and become bitter when dried or cooked. They should also be picked before the plant flowers, as they can become more bitter and less fragrant after blooming. If you want to grow bee balm in your garden, you can follow the same care tips as for allium, which is a related plant. Allium care involves planting the bulbs or rhizomes in well-drained soil, in full sun, and watering them regularly. You can also fertilize them once a year and prune them after flowering.
How to Control Bee Balm?
Bee balm is a plant that can be both a friend and a foe, depending on where and how it grows. It can be a hardy and beautiful plant in some situations, but it can also be a nuisance and a threat in others. It can be invasive or aggressive in places where it is not native or wanted, such as lawns, pastures, crops, or natural areas. It can spread rapidly and densely, and block the sunlight, oxygen, and water flow. It can also displace or compete with other plants and animals, and reduce the biodiversity and productivity of the ecosystem. It can also be difficult to eradicate, as it can regenerate from any part of the plant that is left behind.
Therefore, it is important to control bee balm if it becomes a problem in your area. There are several methods that can be used to do so, such as:
- Manual removal: This involves pulling, digging, or mowing the plant by hand or with tools, and disposing of it properly. This can be effective for small infestations, but it can also be labor-intensive and time-consuming. It is also essential to remove all parts of the plant, including the roots and rhizomes, and to repeat the process regularly until no more growth is observed.
- Chemical control: This involves applying herbicides to the plant, either by spraying, wiping, or injecting. This can be effective for large infestations, but it can also be costly and harmful to the environment and other plants and animals. It is also important to choose the right herbicide for the situation, and to follow the instructions and precautions carefully.
- Biological control: This involves introducing natural enemies of the plant, such as insects, fungi, or animals, that can feed on or damage the plant. This can be effective for long-term control, but it can also be risky and unpredictable. It is also important to ensure that the introduced agents are specific to the target plant, and that they do not cause any unwanted impacts on the ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions and answers about bee balm:
- How to propagate bee balm?
Bee balm can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or divisions. Seeds can be sown indoors in late winter or early spring, or outdoors in late spring or early summer. Cuttings can be taken from young stems in spring or summer, and rooted in moist soil or water. Divisions can be done in spring or fall, by digging up the clumps and separating them into smaller pieces. You can also buy bee balm plants from nurseries or garden centers, and transplant them to your desired location.
- How to care for bee balm?
Bee balm is a low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plant that does not need much water or fertilizer, as it can thrive in natural conditions. However, it may benefit from some mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and some compost or organic fertilizer in the spring to boost its growth and flowering. It can also be deadheaded to prolong its blooming period and prevent self-seeding, and pruned to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and flowers.
- How to prune bee balm?
Bee balm does not need much pruning, as it has a natural and graceful shape. However, it can be pruned to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged leaves and flowers, and to shape and rejuvenate the plant. Pruning should be done after flowering, usually in late summer or early fall. Pruning should be done with sharp and clean tools, and about one-third of the old stems should be cut back to the ground. Any crossing or crowded branches should also be thinned out to improve air circulation and light penetration.
- Is bee balm poisonous?
Bee balm is not poisonous to humans, but it can be toxic to some animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses. The plant contains essential oils, such as thymol and carvacrol, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, depression, and skin irritation. The flowers are especially toxic, as they can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and liver damage. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the plant away from pets and livestock, and to wear gloves when handling the plant. If you suspect that your animal has ingested the plant, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.