Does bee balm like full sun or shade?
Site Requirements. Bee balms perform best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. The planting site should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Plants won’t flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew when grown in partial shade. A slower propagation method is to take stem cuttings. Bee balm roots fairly easily from cuttings and can generally be planted in the garden the following year. Collecting seeds is a great way to start many plants at once, although the resulting plants may look different from the parent plant.Bee balms are quite easy to grow and do not often have many problems. However, some plants are plagued by a leggy appearance and powdery mildew.Trimming & Pruning: Deadheading bee-balm will encourage the plant to continue to set blooms from lower nodes late into the summer season. For best results, make sure to do so on a regular basis, and not just at the end of the first flush of bloom.Bee Balm thrives in full sun to part sun. Full shade is the only sun option that won’t work well for Bee Balm. Bee Balm is a great native plant for beginning native gardens since it is happy in many types of light and soil.
What is an interesting fact about bee balm?
It is also interesting to note that beebalm is purported to have served as a substitute for tea after the infamous Boston Tea Party. Ironically, beebalm was later shipped back to England. Beebalm remained a valuable perennial herb grown in gardens throughout the Colonial Era (1607–1840). The Bee Balm is a limited, multi-harvest, flower type, rare crop released in the 3rd part of the Bizzy bee event series.Indigenous Americans regarded bee balm as both a medicinal and a culinary herb. The leaves were brewed into teas, which were used to improve digestion and to treat coughs, colds, fever, anxiety, pain and discomfort, and melancholy.The most common problem with bee balm is a foliage disease called powdery mildew. That is a good name for it, because the leaves look like they have been dusted with powder. Unfortunately, leaves will turn brown and drop or be deformed.Annuals To Plant With Bee Balm Annuals such as basil, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes all benefit from the pollinators Bee Balm brings to the garden.
Why is it called bee balm?
It is also known by the common names bergamot, Oswego tea, and crimson beebalm. The common name beebalm refers to the use of a resin derived from the plant that may be used for healing and soothing in particularly of bee stings. Bee balm (Monarda spp. In June and July, slender, tubular flowers are produced in 2- to 3-inch–wide flower heads. Flower colors include white, pink, red, lavender, and purple.Bergamot is another common name for bee balm, but is misleading. Certainly, the strong, citrusy fragrance emanating from bee balm bears more than a passing resemblance to a steaming cup of Earl Grey, but bergamot oil comes from a citrus fruit, not this cottage garden favorite.Bee balm flowers are revered for being edible but they’re also appreciated for their ability to attract pollinators and birds to the garden. As a member of the mint family, it has a citrusy aroma with a minty flavor (no surprise there!Bee balm leaves were used as a substitute for tea during the American Revolutionary War when black tea was scarce. Bee balm has many beneficial attributes including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-nausea properties used to naturally support those with eczema, sore throats, cold sores, achy muscles, and congestion.
Is bee balm good for anything?
Today, bee balm is still used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. As a member of the mint family, when bee balm is used in teas, it can help with digestive issues, bloating, sore throats, and nausea. Bee balm is a natural antiseptic and applied topically, can help with bee stings, rashes, and minor wounds. This herbal tea is wonderfully hot and amazing over ice. Not only a great tea, wild bee balm is well known to alleviate a headache, soothe sore throats, and address cold sores. TASTE: Slightly tart with an aftertaste of sage.Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make medicinal salves and drinks. The leaves and flowers are also edible and can be used in herbal teas, salads, and as garnishes. Abortifacient — Used for female obstructions.Bee balm is a good garden companion to tomatoes, even improving their health and flavor. In the kitchen, bee balm is the perfect addition to summer iced teas, lemonades, and cocktails. It is a wonderful substitute for mint both muddled into the drink and as garnish and is often used in hot teas and infusions as well.Bee balm is largely resistant to deer and rabbit damage and does best in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. These plants will self-seed and spread by rhizomes, which can be lessened by deadheading if a larger spread is undesired in an area.
Where is the best place to plant bee balm?
Bee balm grows easily in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. The plant prefers rich, moist soil but needs good airflow among its leaves. It will flourish in full sun and does well in partial shade. If you have a shaded area of your lawn for a portion of the day, bee balm will be quite happy there. Bee balm (Monarda didyma) is an herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family that’s easy to grow and care for. Its vibrant summer flowers and medicinal properties make it a valuable plant for humans and wildlife.Growing Bee Balm (Monarda) Because it spreads by “runners” which are underground stems or stolons, one plant can become many in just a year or two. But, because the roots are shallow (just a few inches deep) it is much easier to control than other members of the mint family so I welcome it in my garden.A perennial plant that looks gorgeous in the garden, horsemint (aka bee balm) offers two useful characteristics: It attracts pollinators (like bees) but repels mosquitoes.There are few joys as great as working around bee balm in the summer and being kept company by the citrusy, resonant scent of foliage and flower; unless of course it’s witnessing the honey bees and hummingbirds jockeying for position around the unusual, two lipped flowers shaped like little crowns.
Is bee balm easy to grow from seeds?
To plant: Although bee balm should be planted in rich soil in a sunny area, it can tolerate some shade, especially during the heat of the summer. As soon as the danger of frost has passed, plant seeds 1/8 inch deep and 12 inches apart if planting in the garden. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds sprout. The fact that bee balm can be harvested easily in large quantities, dry well and keep a great flavor, makes it of my favorite foraged herbs to cook with. Just like the fresh plant, you can use the dried leaves anywhere you’d use dried oregano or thyme.Timing: The ideal time to harvest bee balm is when the flowers have just started to open fully but haven’t completely bloomed. This stage typically occurs in mid to late summer when the flowers are vibrant and fragrant.The leaves and flowers of the bee balm plant are used to make bee balm tea. Both parts of the plant are infused in water to create the tea.
Do bee balms come back every year?
Horsemint, or lemon bee balm, is an annual, but most bee balm varieties are hardy perennial plants that will return every year. Alternatively, you can propagate bee balm from cuttings taken from existing plants. Simply take a cutting from a healthy stem in spring, remove the lower leaves and plant the cutting in a pot filled with moist but free-draining compost.Yes, bee balm will spread via underground rhizomes that produce new growth. While it isn’t overly aggressive, you can take a few steps to prevent your bee balm from spreading. The first is isolating your bee balm plants within a border, like a perennial garden hedge or along a privacy fence.Place bee balm in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Improve native soil with compost and coarse sand if needed.Bee Balm seed matures late summer-fall. Seed is ready to harvest when brown and dry. Store seeds in a cool, dry place. Seeds are viable for 2 years.Bee Balm thrives in sun to part sun, making them excellent choices for beginner gardeners. Explore planting tips and varieties below.