What should I plant bee balm next to?
Companion planting – good companions: bee balm pairs well with other perennials like coneflowers, black-eyed susans, and butterfly bushes. It also works well in a pollinator garden alongside other nectar-rich plants. Example planting layout – garden bed: plant bee balm in a sunny, well-drained garden bed. Low-lying plants and shrubs grow well with bee balm. Light feeding vegetables (or, veggies that don’t need too many resources) like beans or artichokes grow well with bee balm, too.Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time. Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens.Bee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. For best performance, water bee balms every seven to 10 days during dry periods. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.Fortunately, Bee Balm is only plagued by a handful of pests that are easy to control with some basic cultural methods. Aphids, spider mites, thrips, and stalk borer infestations can be cured with good garden hygiene and close monitoring of plants throughout the growing season.Option 4: Cut back bee balm stems in late summer or autumn If they had powdery mildew, take them all the way to the ground. If they were unaffected, either leave them so the birds can enjoy the seed heads or cut them back to a height of 8 to 10 inches.
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 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 balm plants are light feeders, and too much fertilizer (especially if it’s rich in nitrogen) can result in lots of leafy growth and very few flowers. Another common problem with bee balm is improper water or humidity. The plants like moderate irrigation– during periods of drought, water deeply once per week.Bee balm is in the mint family and as such, will spread aggressively via underground stolons (creeping stems). For this reason it’s not a good bed-fellow for smaller, more delicate plants.Fertilizing. Bee balms don’t require frequent or heavy fertilizer applications. Sprinkling a small amount of all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilization.
Is bee balm good for gardens?
Bee balm is a great perennial for the flower garden, and a favorite of bees and hummingbirds as well as gardeners. 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. It gives off a strong, incense-like odor that confuses the pests by masking the smells given off by humans.Plant bee balm with tomatoes to improve growth and flavor. Bee Balm is great for attracting beneficial insects and bees, of course. Borage also attracts hornworms away from tomato plants.
Does bee balm come back every year?
Bee balm plants are perennial , coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden. Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. Either time of year works well; however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, it’s best to trim back the foliage to encourage the plant to focus its energy towards the roots.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.Deadheading is not required for bee balm, but it can help encourage more prolific blooms.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.
Does bee balm need a lot of water?
Bee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. For best performance, water bee balms every 7 to 10 days during dry periods. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Apply a mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and reduce the frequency of watering. Bee balm is a hardy perennial plant that requires little care. Whether planted in a garden area or in a container, it will return each season and will have likely spread. A few easy steps will prepare the plant for the cold weather. Cut the plant to the ground in mid-autumn.Where to Plant Bee Balm Seeds. Bee Balm performs best in full sun or partial shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. Bee Balm isn’t picky when it comes to soil type – it will tolerate poor soils and, it is heat and drought tolerant.A low-maintenance perennial, bee balm has a long blooming period, giving your garden up to 8 weeks of colour in the summer and early fall. The bee balm plant is treasured for attracting beneficial bees as well as other pollinators including butterflies and hummingbirds who come to feast on its nectar.Bee Balm | Genus: Monarda Native to North America: there are also various cultivars. Shallow: bulk of roots are just 2 to 3 inches deep with some very fine roots reaching a few inches deeper.This annual Bee Balm (it will reseed itself, or need to be reseeded every year after a frost) has a wonderful lemony scent. Its flowers have multiple tiered levels of amazingness.
When’s the best time to plant bee balm?
Plant bee balm in the spring or fall, once all chance of frost has passed. Place bee balm in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Plant bee balm in spring or fall, once all chances of frost have passed. Space bee balm plants 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.Give your bee balm full sun (at least 6 hours a day) to maximize blooms. Bee balm can handle partial shade, but your plants are likely to become leggy over time.However, you should cut back your bee balm in the fall if it suffered from powdery mildew during the growing season. Pruning helps prevent this disease from spreading. To further reduce mildew issues, use proper plant spacing (18 to 24 inches) and water at the base.Tips for Planting Bee Balm Nutrient-rich soil is ideal. Add compost or coffee grounds to the soil in the weeks leading up to planting to give your bee balm flowers an extra boost.
Should I cut back my bee balm?
Pinching or cutting back bee balm early in the season can promote branching and flowering. Late season pruning is best for disease prevention. Diseased plant material should be thrown in the trash or burned, but never composted. So if your bee balm has spent blossoms, deadhead them and it should bloom again.