Bee Balm is a tall summer-blooming perennial with brilliant red flowers subtended by a whorl of showy, red-tinged, leafy bracts. The aromatic leaves can be used for tea, but are susceptible to mildew, so this plant needs good air circulation. A member of the mint family, bee balm spreads readily by rhizomes and self-seeding to form large colonies, so be prepared to divide it every few years.
Latin Name
Monarda didyma
Family
Lamiaceae
Also Known As
Monarda Bergamot Oswego tea
Type of Plant
Perennials
Herbs
Bloom Season
July - August
Seasons
Summer
Specifications
Max Height: 4'
Max Spread: 3'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Part Shade
Tolerances
Attracted Wildlife
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Colors
Native Range
Canada, United States
History
William Faris referred to this plant as "Bergamot Balm" and kept it in his Annapolis garden.
Other Details
Pollinator
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
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