The mint family includes the aromatic herb known as scarlet beebalm. Other common names for it include bergamot, Oswego tea, and crimson beebalm. The term “beebalm” refers to a plant resin that is commonly used for treating and calming wounds, particularly those caused by bee stings. The Oswego native Americans who once resided close to the modern city of Oswego in upstate New York and who taught early white settlers how to create a herbal tea from the plants’ leaves are known by the common name Oswego tea. The popular name “bergamont” comes from its scent, which is reminiscent of that of the bergamot orange. The genus name Monarda honors Nicolas Monardes, a Spanish doctor who wrote an early herbal that introduced numerous North American plants to Europe. The Latin word didyma, which means “in pairs” or “twins,” refers to the fact that the stamens grow in pairs.
A perennial herb, scarlet beebalm grows 2 to 3 1/2 feet tall from shallow, slender, creeping rhizomes. The opposite, 3 to 6 inch long, coarsely toothed, glabrous to sparsely pubescent, and with spreading hairs on the top leaf surface and leaf surface. Like the majority of the members of the mint family, the stems are square or four-sided. The dense heads of scarlet flowers grow at the tips of the stems, and occasionally flowering heads appear from the stem axils below. The flower clusters are surrounded by reddish wide bracts. The flowers are long (up to 11/2 inches), slender, and clearly two-lipped; the bottom lip dips downward and is wider than the upper lip. The upper lip continues the corolla tube.
Hikers who frequently come across this natural wildflower in shaded woodlands, typically along stream banks and thickets, are delighted by its vividly scarlet flower cluster. Late June, early July, or late August is when flowering begins. The enormous, crimson, scentless, nectar-rich flowers of the scarlet beebalm are mostly pollinated by fritillaries and ruby-throated hummingbirds. When ripe, the dense flowering heads change color from green to brown. Crushing the ripened flower heads makes it easier to extract the seeds; the seeds are then separated from the smashed flower heads using a 1/25 screen. A two to three week chilly, wet stratification significantly improves germination.
Because they may spread by seed throughout a flowerbed and are vulnerable to powdery mildew in humid regions, beebalms are coarse herbs that many gardeners either love or despise. Growing in broad sunlight and cutting within the clump to improve airflow might reduce the likelihood of contracting powdery mildew. Full sunshine is ideal for growing scarlet beebalm, but it can also thrive in partial shade, but flowering will be less abundant. The best conditions for growing scarlet beebalm are in damp, fertile soil, where it may quickly produce large colonies and spread. Remove the flower heads as soon as they are finished flowering to prevent self-sowing. Division in the spring or autumn is the best time for propagation. They should be a part of everyone’s butterfly garden because they are a top nectar source.
Does Beebalm return each year?
Hardy perennial bee balm takes minimal maintenance. It will come back every season, whether it was planted in a garden or a container, and it will probably have spread. The plant can be prepared for the cold season with a few simple actions.
- Midway through fall, cut the plant to the ground.
- Mulch the area around the roots by an inch.
- On occasion, water the soil if it seems dry.
- Avoid muddy ground.
- In the spring, get rid of the mulch.
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Can Beebalm still be planted now?
You can plant bee balm in the spring and the fall. As soon as they arrive, plant them in organic matter-amended, well-drained soil. If you are unable to immediately plant them in their final locations, shallowly heel them into a temporary location and keep them well-watered until transplanting.
Light: Bee balm thrives in direct sunlight. Even though it may grow in partial shade, it eventually stretches and becomes lanky.
Bee balm thrives in evenly wet, organically rich soil. It can handle lesser soil, but taller, stronger specimens will grow in richer soil. Both soggy conditions and soils that have been allowed to dry out for an extended period of time are not acceptable.
Bee balm, a member of the mint family, more than lives up to its name. Through a mat of underground stems (stolons), it will spread rapidly over the course of a season, but it can be controlled by routine digging and division.
Bee balm should be planted in the spring or early fall. Although Bee Balm can be planted at any time of year, it is recommended to prune the foliage back in the fall to encourage the plant to direct its energy toward the roots.
Beebalm: Is it invasive?
Bee balm may be aggressive, especially in its optimal growing condition of wet soil in a full sun to part shade setting, so the answer to your question is yes.
An invasive plant is one that is “both non-native and able to sprout on numerous locations, develop rapidly, and spread to the point of harming plant communities or ecosystems,” according to the USDA definition.
Therefore, the location and species of the plant you are cultivating determine whether it is invasive or not.
Since M. fistulosa and M. menthifolium, for instance, are native to nearly the whole continental US, one cannot generally refer to them as invasive species here, but one can surely refer to them as aggressive or opportunistic.
If given the chance, they will most certainly spread swiftly over your garden unless they are eradicated or contained.
These plants disperse using runners, which are modified underground stems known as rhizomes.
These rhizomes will aggressively spread in loose, adequately moist soil, producing new shoots that instantly surround the parents and continue to grow as the environment and conditions permit.
They can enclose and strangle other plants in the yard by casting shade and vying for nutrients and moisture due to their continual growth.
We don’t advise getting rid of these lovely flowers entirely, either, as they are a natural species that pollinators find attractive. So how exactly do you manage bee balm?
Do I need to use less Beebalm?
It is simple to grow because it is a highly tolerant plant. If you’re planting it to entice beneficial insects like hummingbirds to visit your yard to pollinate or to help wipe out pests, you’ll want to position it close to your food plants. You’ll also want to choose an area with good growing conditions, including plenty of light and well-draining soil. But let’s take a deeper look at what the ideal circumstances are for bee balm cultivation.
Light
As a full-sun plant, you can plant it in full sun in most of the United States to encourage blooming. A little afternoon shade will prolong the flowering season and shield perennial kinds from the sweltering heat of the afternoon in hotter regions of the south or southwest of the US.
Water
Although the majority of cultivars can tolerate droughts to some extent, they thrive when given frequent irrigation. The soil should be kept moist but not drenched. To prevent drowning your perennial types, make sure the location you plant in stays well-draining and does not become wet throughout the winter. Monarda media is an exception to this rule because it prefers more moisture, but even in that case, the roots still require space to breathe.
Soil
It’s crucial that your soil has the ability to drain out any extra water because monardas don’t always prefer excessively damp soil. The natural varieties of this plant may grow in a variety of soil conditions, from sandy soils to potting soil, and they are not at all fussy about soil fertility. Commercial cultivars like a little bit richer soil, probably as a result of years of germination in higher caliber soils. Your soil’s pH should ideally fall between 6.0 and 6.7 for the greatest development, and I prefer to add some compost to the bed before planting to boost the soil’s nutrient content.
Fertilizer
In the spring, a nice coating of top-dressed compost followed by a few inches of mulch will provide enough of plant nourishment and some weed control.
You can also use an all-purpose organic fertilizer, either in the form of a liquid formulation or a slow-release granular version that is buried in the ground. Either of these possibilities ought to keep it nourished.
Repotting
In pots, bee balm frequently grows a pretty substantial root ball. To avoid having too many roots, it is frequently a good idea to divide the plant before repotting. Before gently pushing a shovel beneath the root ball, start by loosening the soil around the roots. Carefully pry it upward until the plant is released from the pot.
Shake the plant lightly before brushing off as much loose soil as you can without damaging it if you wish to divide it. Once you can see the individual roots, use a pair of pruning shears to cut through the thicker roots and then carefully pry the two segments apart to preserve the smaller roots. Make sure that each division has a sufficient root mass to grow from.
Once the plants have been separated into the desired number of pieces, check the roots and cut out any that seem slimy or partially rotten. Trim any plant stems that are weak or damaged in the same manner. Once you have your plants ready, move swiftly to prevent the roots from drying up and immediately replant in fresh pots or garden beds.
Propagation
Bee balm can be grown from seeds or cuttings in addition to being divided, as was previously indicated in the section on repotting.
If you’re reproducing from cuttings, choose fresh spring growth from the stem tips and cut it off at least six inches long, right below a set of leaves. In a tiny pot filled with perlite, peat moss, vermiculite, or a combination of any of these materials, put your trimmed stems. To assist them maintain some moisture, give them a good watering and place them inside a plastic bag. Repot your cuttings in potting soil once they have taken root, then store them in a sunny window or greenhouse until you are ready to replant them somewhere.
Make sure your bee balm seed is not from a hybrid cultivar if you are starting from seed because they frequently don’t breed true. Early in the spring, when there is still a chance of a light frost and the soil is still chilly, sow your seeds. When your seedling plants have developed at least two sets of true leaves, you can either transplant them or thin them out to a distance of 18 to 24 inches as needed.
You can keep the seeds from your plants, but if they are hybrids, they probably won’t produce true offspring. One to three weeks after the blooms have bloomed, the seeds are often ready for harvest. At the base of your plant, insert a paper bag carefully. Next, gently bend a stalk over the bag and tap it. The seed is ready to be gathered if any brown seeds fall into the bag. The seeds should be allowed to dry on paper towels in a well-ventilated area for 3–4 days before being stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container until they are ready to be planted.
Pruning
If you have established plants, you should pinch down their growth in the early spring when they are around 12 inches tall to promote lateral spreading. The top set of leaves on each stalk need only be carefully pinched off. Before blossoming, the plant will naturally extend farther.
Spread out that early pinching across a few weeks if you want to promote a longer floral display. Do approximately a third of your plants during the first week, a second third during the second week, and the remaining third week. To ensure an even dispersion of blooms later, make sure to spread out the process throughout your entire garden.
If you have a lot of bee balm plants, you might just use a set of hand clippers or shears to cut down the whole patch at once. When it reaches the 12-inch height, you may just equally clip it to a height of roughly half, which promotes lateral growth and increases the amount of leaf mass. By doing this, you should prevent your plants from seeming lanky or weedy.
Bee balm should be deadheaded just above the following flower bud when your blossoms begin to fade to promote more blossoming. Trim a stem back to the ground or pinch it off once it has done flowering. The plant will be inspired to grow another flowering stem as a result.
Bee balm should be pruned in the autumn or winter after it has died down. Bring it back down to the soil’s surface slightly above. Perennial types will start to show symptoms of fresh growth in the late winter or early spring once you have cleaned up the dead plant material.
What is the purpose of scarlet beebalm?
Bee balm was once a popular beverage and medicine among Native Americans and European settlers in America. Bee balm is still employed as a herbal treatment for a number of illnesses in modern times. Bee balm, a member of the mint family, helps relieve nausea, bloating, sore throats, and digestive problems when added to drinks. As a natural antibacterial, bee balm can be used topically to treat small wounds, rashes, and bee stings. Aromatherapy practitioners love its citrusy mint smell.
Spreads red bee balm?
Bee balm (Monarda), which has lovely blossoms in July and August, is frequently seen in gardens, by the sides of roads, and in grasslands. At the tops of 2- to 4-foot-tall plants, the flowers are formed. Slender, tubular flowers cover the 1 1/2 to 3-inch diameter flower heads. White, pink, red, lavender, and purple are among the flower colors.
The mint family includes bee balm. Bee balm is an aromatic plant with square stems and opposing leaves similar to the majority of other members of the mint family. Bee balm leaves is used as a garnish and in herbal drinks and salads. Its perfume is similar to that of mint. The blooms can be eaten as well.
Bee balm draws hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, hence the popular name. Other popular names for this plant include Oswego tea, horsemint, and bergamot.
Site Requirements
Bee balms work best in direct sunlight. Although plants may handle some shade, they won’t produce as many flowers and are more prone to powdery mildew. Additionally, they favor moist, well-drained soils.
Watering
During the growing season, bee balms want an even distribution of moisture. During dry conditions, water bee balms every 7 to 10 days for best results. Soak the soil 6 to 8 inches deep while watering. Mulching the area around the plants will assist retain soil moisture and lessen watering requirements.
Fertilizing
Bee balms don’t need to be fertilized frequently or heavily. In the early spring, it is typically sufficient to sprinkle a little amount of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant. Refrain from overfertilizing. Frequent or heavy fertilizer treatments will promote rogue, succulent growth and could worsen powdery mildew.
Division
Bee balms spread quickly through stolons or underground stems. Additionally, the cluster cores frequently disappear after a few years. It is typically necessary to dig and divide bee balms every two to three years in order to restrict their spread and revitalize the plants. The ideal time to dig up and divide bee balms is in the early spring. As soon as the plants poke their heads above the soil, dig them up. Use a sharp knife to slice off the clump. Each portion needs to have a healthy root system and at least two or three shoots. Replant right away.
Insect and Disease Problems
Occasionally, bee balms may experience minimal insect damage. But the powdery mildew issue is more severe. A fungal disease is powdery mildew. On the upper leaf surfaces, it appears as a “powder” that is grayish white. Leaves that have been severely affected drop early. On crowded plants, those growing in light to heavy shade, and plants that are under stress from dryness, disease symptoms manifest themselves most severely.
The severity of powdery mildew can be lessened through cultural practices. Choose a location with full sun for planting bee balms, and leave 1 1/2 to 2 feet between each plant. Every two to three years, divide your plants, and water them when it’s dry. Debris from diseased plants should be removed and destroyed in the fall. Powdery mildew fungus spores survive the winter on plant waste that has been affected by the illness. The infection source for the following year can be eliminated by removing and destroying this item.
The easiest option for home gardeners to avoid the troublesome issue of powdery mildew is to choose types that are mildew resistant. ‘Marshall’s Delight’ (bright pink flowers), ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ (scarlet-red flowers), ‘Violet Queen’ (violet-blue flowers), ‘Raspberry Wine’ (wine-red flowers), and ‘Colrain Red’ are some varieties with good mildew resistance (purplish red flowers).
Dwarf Varieties
Most cultivars of bee balm that are often planted reach a height of 2 1/2 to 4 feet. There are a few dwarf cultivars, though. Petite “Delight” (rose pink flowers) and “Petite Wonder” (pink flowers) reach heights of 10 and 15 inches, respectively. Both varieties are resistant to powdery mildew in a fair to good manner.
Bee balm is a great, simple-to-grow perennial for the home landscape when planted properly and cared after.