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Perennial
Mondarda (Bee Balm) for Your Garden
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Monarda
(Bee Balm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, or
Bergamot) is a genus consisting of roughly
16 species of erect, herbaceous annual or
perennial plants in the Lamiaceae, indigenous
to North America. Ranging in vertical size
from 1 to 3 feet (0.2 to 0.9 m), the plants
have an equal spread, with slender and long-tapering
(lanceolate) leaves; the leaves are opposite
on stem, smooth to nearly hairy, lightly
serrated margins, and range from 3 to 6
inches (7 to 14 cm) long. In all species,
the leaves, when crushed, exude a spicy,
highly fragrant oil. Of the species listed,
M. didyma (Oswego Tea) contains the highest
concentration of this oil.
Flowers of the Monarda
genus are tubular, can be single or double,
generally hermaphroditic, and appear in
mid to late-summer in dense profusion. Flower
sizes range from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10
cm). Flower colors vary, with wild forms
of the plant having crimson-red to red,
pink and light purple. M. didyma has bright,
carmine red blossoms;
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Both species, perhaps egregiously, are
referred to commonly as "Lemon Mint.")
There are over 50 commercial cultivars and
hybrids, ranging in color from candy-apple
red to pure white to deep blue, but these
plants tend to be smaller than wild species,
and often developed to combat climatic or
pest conditions. Seed collected from hybrids
-- as with most hybridized plants -- will
not come true and reversion to true forms
of the plants will occur with second generation
seed.
The Bergamot of the Monarda
species should not be confused with the
popular flavoring used in Earl Grey tea.
Dried leaves may be used for teas or aromatherapies,
but the odor is subtly different from Citrus
bergamina, the Earl Grey flavoring. For
medicinal usage, Monarda has been known
to treat headaches and fevers by infusing
crushed leaves in boiling water.
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Some of our Favorite Monarda's:
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Mixed
Monarda
Mixed Monarda attracts hummingbirds with
aromatic leaves and frilly flower heads
in a mix of white, pink, purple or red.
Blooms early to mid-summer on 28-40"
stems. Space 12-24" apart.
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Jacob
Cline Monarda
Mint-scented foliage, extra-large deep red
flowers make this a bold accent for a border
- or butterfly or herb garden. The Jacob Cline
Monarda blooms all summer. 3-4' tall and 2-3'
wide. Mildew-resistant
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Planting Requirements:
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Full sun or partial shade. Grow in mosture-retentive
soil. In dry conditions, Bee Balm is susceptible
to powdery mildew. Mulch plants in spring and
irrigate during summer dry spells. Plant bareroot
plants with the old stems pointing up. Fan out
the runners horizontally and cover them with just
1/4in of soil. Plants spread rapidly. Divide every
year or two in spring to keep them in check.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Monarda
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Additional Info:
As its name implies, the exceptionally
large, hot-pink blooms of 'Coral Reef' have coral
overtones. This Bee Balm has a habit similar to
that of the great favorite 'Marshall's Delight'.
This tough and aromatic plant is great for attracting
hummingbirds and butterflies. It's also mildew
resistant. PPAF
Monarda,
a North American genus, has several species, all
of which share tartly fragrant foliage and the
square stems that typify members of the Mint family.
The late-summer flower heads are hemispheres of
tubular blooms in brilliant colors. Plants thrive
in full sun or partial shade and evenly moist
soil (which helps avoid mildew). Under these conditions,
they are vigorous to the point of invasiveness,
perhaps past it. Deer resistant. Bareroot and
pot-grown.
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