![]() ![]() Either way, leave the seed heads on the plant through fall and winter. This encourages a second flush of (smaller) flowers in late summer or early fall. Don’t cut them off.Īfter the first flush of blooms is spent, deadhead the flowers by cutting the stems back by about two-thirds. Species of Panicum (panic grass), Echinacea, Agastache, Helenium and various asters could all play supportive (pardon) roles.Ībove: The seed heads of bee balm are showy and also attract seed-eating birds in fall. In full summer bloom, and with tall stems, bee balm tends to flop after heavy rain, so meadowy companion plants can be very helpful, keeping the plant propped up for a few, drying hours. Above: Monarda fistulosa with Panicum grasses, which help support it. The plants are hardy from USDA Zones 4 – 9. When they send up their first shoots after winter dormancy, nip out their tips to encourage a bushier habit. Above: Bee balm growing on New York City’s High Line.ĭon’t plant bee balm with its back to a hot wall. Wet feet and a lack of air circulation can lead to the dreaded, mildewed leaves that can give bee balm a bad reputation. Growing bee balm is simple if you give the plants good drainage, full sun, and room to move (they spread via runners, underground). Above: Bee balm is happy in mixed plantings with other meadow-friendly perennials in full sun. Who does resist the attractions of bee balm? Deer. All bee balms sport the tufts of tubular flowers that mark them as members of the mint family, Lamiaceae, whose nectar is irresistible to our flying friends. citriodora smells similar, with a spicy finish. punctata looks dramatically different, with petite flowers but very showy, whorled pink leaf bracts. Most bee balm plants at nurseries are either Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm), Monarda fistulosa, or a hybrid of the two. There are many more hybrids and named cultivars. Above: Plant red-flowered bee balms to attract hummingbirds.īee balm belongs to the genus Monarda, which comprises almost two dozen species. Certainly, the plant was used as food, a medicinal tea, and a topical application by Native Americans. Bee balm is also known as Oswego tea, although that etymology is murky (Oswego is a place, but not a Native nation). It is unrelated to the other bergamot, the fragrant fruit of Citrus bergamia, which perfumes Earl Grey tea (although both contain limonene in their essential oil). Bee balm is also known as wild bergamot, or bergamot. Above: Bee balm begins to flower in midsummer. Ready to explore? Read on for growing tips and recipes for this North American herb. Growing bee balm is good not only for your biodiversity karma, but for your culinary adventures. It was used on this continent by Native American nations long before Mediterranean herbs crossed the Atlantic to please European palates. With an exception (more about that later), bee balm tastes like a melding of oregano and summer savory, and can be used in exactly the same ways. Native American bee balm is well-known as a pollinator-pleasing perennial, but it offers even more: Its aromatic leaves and flowers are edible. Icon - Check Mark A check mark for checkbox buttons.Īs the dainty fireworks of bee balm flowers begin to erupt in summer, a time-lapse camera would reveal a growing and interactive crowd in motion. Icon - Twitter Twitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Pinterest Pinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - Instagram Instagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Facebook Facebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Email Used to indicate an emai action. Icon - Search Used to indicate a search action. Icon - Zoom In Used to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - Zoom Out Used to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Location Pin Used to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Dropdown Arrow Used to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Close Used to indicate a close action. Icon - Down Chevron Used to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Message The icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - External Link An icon we use to indicate a button link is external. ![]() Icon - Arrow Right An icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Native Bee Balm: Pollinator-Friendly and Delicious, Too - Gardenista Icon - Arrow Left An icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |