Bee Balm Garden Design

The bee balm is a mid border perennial meaning that it suits growing alongside lower growing perennial plants such as dwarf amsonia helping to cover the sparse lower region of the bee balm.

Bee balm garden design. Mostly grown in north america more and more people are growing monarda now more than ever thanks in part to its medical benefits. Given its height 2 4 feet bee balm makes for an excellent background plant in a pollinator garden. Bee balm is an easy plant to identify when it s growing wild in fields stream beds or woodland edges. Bee balm needs good air circulation otherwise it can develop powdery mildew on its leaves.

Lower petals resemble a lip while the top petals are a mass of individual flowers that look like clustered fanning tubes. Space plants 18 24 inches apart in rich well draining soil. Lavender pink whorled flowers are couched in purple violet bracts. The show guest is lorraine johnson co author of a new free ebook called a flower patch for the rusty patched bumble bee by lorraine johnson sheila colla and with illustrations by ann sanderson.

This summer blooming perennial is native to north america and suited to cottage style borders and wildflower meadows. The flowers are distinct with a spiky appearance. Vigorous growth and a long bloom time also make this plant a standout in any garden setting. Bee balm comes in so many different colors that it works with any of the other plants in a summer garden.

Bee balm also known as monarda is a plant you will most likely find in various butterfly and bee gardens. The many additional uses of different parts of the. Sep 6 2016 explore fred meyer s board bee balm on pinterest. The bee balm makes an excellent companion for the garden phlox or shasta daisy.

Water thoroughly at the time of planting. Whether you call it bee balm monarda bergamot or oswego tea this plant is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. Apr 26 2020 roy diblik of northwinds suggest this bradburiana shorter earlier blooming monarda combined with echinacea pallida extend the blooming season of bee balms by growing this pollinator friendly native for it blooms in may before the summer flush of other species. So in this episode of the urban forestry radio show and podcast we learn how to create an polliinator or bee garden.

Create a cutting garden in a raised bed and combine bee balm with other summer blooming cut flowers such as dahlias cosmos sunflowers and zinnias for months of colorful bouquets. With flowers reminiscent of fireworks a long bloom time and easy care nature it s easy to see why bee balm monarda is a favorite of gardeners across the u s. Blossoms reminiscent of fireworks in a variety of colors mean more than just pollinators enjoy the summertime display. See more ideas about bee balm flower garden perennials.