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Bee Balm

Monarda

The Pollinator Magnet: A Guide to Native Monarda


The Snapshot

  • Common Names: Bee Balm, Bergamot, Horsemint, Oswego Tea

  • Scientific Name: Monarda spp.

  • Origin: North American Natives

  • Hardiness: Zones 3 – 9 (Highly adaptable)

  • The "Vibe": Shaggy, aromatic, and high-energy; the ultimate "action" plant for sunny spots.

The Native Heavy-Hitters


1. Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm)

The classic "red" species found along stream banks in the East. It produces shaggy, brilliant red flowers that are the gold standard for attracting hummingbirds.

  • Best For: Moist soil, part sun, and high-drama red borders.

2. Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)

The tough-as-nails prairie native. It features soft lavender-to-pink flowers and is incredibly drought-tolerant once established.

  • Best For: Dry meadows, large-scale naturalizing, and supporting specialized native bees.

3. Monarda punctata (Spotted Horsemint)

The "architectural" rebel. Instead of one shaggy bloom, it features tiers of spotted yellow flowers sitting atop stunning pink or lavender bracts (leaf-like structures).

  • Best For: Sandy soil, rock gardens, and designers looking for something "exotic" and unique.

4. Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Beebalm)

The "tidy" sibling. It blooms earlier than the others (late spring) and stays much shorter (1-2 feet). It also has excellent mildew resistance.

  • Best For: The front of the border or smaller urban gardens.

Why We Love It

Monarda is a member of the Mint Family, which means two things: it has fragrant, square stems, and it is incredibly vigorous. The leaves have a spicy, citrusy scent (very similar to the Bergamot orange used in Earl Grey tea). It’s a "perpetual motion" plant—between the swaying stems and the constant traffic of winged visitors, it brings a garden to life like few others can.


Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

  • Hummingbird Favorite: M. didyma is a primary nectar source for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

  • Specialist Bees: Supports a huge range of native bees, including the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee.

  • Butterflies: A favorite for Swallowtails, Fritillaries, and Clearwing Moths.

  • Medicinal History: Known as "Oswego Tea," the leaves were used by the Oswego people and later by colonists as a tea substitute after the Boston Tea Party.

Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The "Social" Border: Plant Monarda where you can see it easily from a window or patio. You won’t want to miss the hummingbird dogfights that inevitably happen over the scarlet blooms.

  • The "Mildew" Hack: To prevent the white "powder" on the leaves, plant Monarda where it gets plenty of breeze and avoid overhead watering.

  • Texture Play: Pair the shaggy flowers of Monarda with the flat, structural "landing pads" of Heliopsis or Achillea (Yarrow).

Designer Pro-Tip: If your Monarda gets too tall and "floppy," give it a Chelsea Chop in late May. Cut the stems back by half. This results in a shorter, bushier plant with more (though slightly smaller) flower heads that won't need staking.


Stories from the Garden

"I planted a patch of Spotted Horsemint (M. punctata) in a sandy spot where nothing else would grow. It looks like something from another planet! The wasps and bees are obsessed with it, but they’re so busy eating they never bother me. It’s my favorite conversation starter."

— Leo K., Zone 7 Gardener


A Growing Story: The Hummingbird Duel

A customer once told us she had to move her Monarda didyma away from her back door because the hummingbirds were so protective of it they would "dive-bomb" her every time she went outside! It’s a plant that inspires some serious passion in the local wildlife.



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