Monarda Bee Balm A Must-Have for Pollinator Gardens

The Monarda Bee Balm is a North American perennial that thrives in woodland areas. It is a genus of blooming plants in the mint family Lamiaceae. Common plant names include Oswego, bergamot, and horsemint. The plants thrive in the sun and well-drained, moist soil. However, they produce fewer flowers and spread horizontally when grown in partial shade.

A mature plant is 24 to 48 inches high and 12 inches wide. It does well in rich, wet soil with a pH range of 6.5 and grows best in hardiness zones 4 to 9. 

How to Grow and Care for Monarda Bee Balm in Your Garden

The Monarda Bee Balm has an open flower shaped like a daisy with tube-shaped petals in the gloom of purple, white, red, and pink. There are fifteen kinds and over fifty different plant cultivars grown in gardens, while some are found in the wild. Their plant's flowering period is from July to August.

The Monarda Bee Balm, which is indigenous to North America, got its botanical name from Nicholas Mornadez, a Spanish physician who was the first to discover and define the plant in the 16th century. Early American settlers called it Oswego since the Oswego Indians were using it. Currently, Bergamot is also referred to as Scarlet.

Why Monarda Bee Balm Attracts Pollinators and Benefits Your Garden

• All pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds, also prefer the plant.

• It contains high concentrations of thymol, a potent antiseptic found in mouthwash.

Hardy Planting Zones- 4-9

Sun or Shade – Part Shade to Total Sun

Mature Height - 3-4'

Mature Width- 2-3'

Bloom Season – Late Summer

Gardener Status- Beginner

Soil Type- any moist soil

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed.

Shipping date depends on the date displayed and chosen when you order from the product's page.

We only accept returns on plants verified dead. If you think your plants have died, we offer a 1 year warranty, please use use this File a Claim Link to verify dead plants and start with return warranty process.