The Bee Balm Plant
Do you have a wet area
in your landscaping where whatever you plant seems to struggle? Bee balm might be the solution
for you. Bee balm is one of the better plants for wet ground for those seeking good floral color.
But bee balm is about more than just aesthetics. This herb has its
place in the kitchen cabinet and the medicine cabinet, as well. Its taste in
tea is refreshing. Bee balm can also be applied to treat skin irritations.
Plant
Taxonomy of Red Bee Balm:
Plant taxonomy classifies the bee balm plants
(or "beebalm") with which I deal here (namely, scarlet or
"red" bee balm) as Monarda didyma. "Oswego tea" is
another common name. 'Cambridge Scarlet' is a popular cultivar with red flowers.
Meanwhile, Monarda didyma plants with lavender flowers are also popular; classified as Monarda fistulosa,
they go by the common name "wild bergamot."
Plant
Type:
Monarda didyma plants are herbaceous perennials. They are also considered "herbs" in the sense
that they have been put to culinary and medicinal uses. They are, indeed, in
the mint family; their aromatic leaves have a minty fragrance.
Characteristics
of Red Bee Balm:
Red bee balm plants produce clusters of scarlet, tubular
flowers in mid to late summer. These long-blooming perennials reach 3 feet or
more in height.
Planting
Zones for Red Bee Balm:
Red bee balm plants can be grown in planting zones
4-9. These flowers are indigenous to eastern
North America.
Sun
and Soil Requirements:
Plant Monarda didyma flowers in full sun to
partial shade and in a moist but well-drained soil. Use soil amendments such as compost to
enrich the soil for your Monarda didyma plants.
Outstanding
Characteristic:
This will depend on your gardening interests. If you
simply enjoy beautiful flowers, then the "spiky hairdo" of the
unusual flower clusters will be a chief selling point. If you seek plants that
attract wildlife, then you, too have a reason to grow this perennial (see
below). Herb aficionados, meanwhile, have their own reasons for growing Monarda
didyma flowers (see below).
Wildlife
Attracted to Monarda Didyma:
Looking for plants to attract hummingbirds and
butterflies? Red bee balm is commonly grown for just this purpose. It also
attracts bees to help pollinate your other plants.
Uses:
These flowers are also a useful option in moist spots
where other perennials might struggle, as they are fine plants for wet ground. In addition to their employment for aesthetic purposes in the landscape, these plants have culinary
and medicinal uses. Culinary herb growers will love the refreshing, unique
taste of bee balm in tea. Medicinally, Monarda didyma "is used as a
skin wash for rashes and other irritations.
Yes, the pulverized leaves truly can be used as a "balm" to treat bee
stings (thus the primary common name).
Care
for Red Bee Balm:
Divide
plants every few years in early spring to counteract their tendency to spread
aggressively. They are susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in late
summer; if your Monarda didyma plants succumb to powdery mildew at this
time, it's best to trim them back to the ground and properly dispose of the cut
growth. Deadhead bee balm flowers to promote
re-blooming.
Question: Jimmie, I have a
Evergreen tree that I love but can't get anything to grow underneath it due to
the year round shade. All the mud is driving me crazy! Do you have any
suggestions I might try? Nancy. L. in Prosper.
Answer: Hi Nancy, believe it or
not there are many solutions for your problem. I would suggest to construct a
decorative bed around the base of the tree about the circumference of the tree
canopy. Once your new bed border is installed you can then till and prep the
area with a good organic soil conditioner. Now you're ready to plant. I would
suggest an evergreen Fern to soften the trunk such as Holly fern or Autumn
fern, then as a lower tier you may want to consider a splash of Hosta Lilies
that are perennial mixed in with some evergreen Mondograss or Liriope ground
cover to fill in the area. Last but not least a 3rd tier isolated border about
6-12 inches inside your original border to plant colorful annuals you could
change out a few times a year when needed.
You now have a beautiful
3 tier landscaped accent tree bed and no more mud! Until next time...Happy
Gardening!!
Jimmie
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