Bee Balm

A first-year flowering perennial, extremely attractive to pollinators. More refined and floriferous than other types of monarda. The easy-to-grow, robust 2- to 3-foot tall plants will bloom all summer long in rose-plum colored flower spikes. One of our favorite scented and ornamental herbs! Great for tea.

(Monarda citriodora) Annual. This striking native wildflower is a pollinator magnet and flavorful culinary and tea herb. The lightly lemony flavor of the leaves makes this an excellent choice as a tea plant or for use in sweet and savory culinary preparations.

• 8-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 7-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 68-70 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: No
  
• Monarda citriodora
  

Growing Tips: Start indoors, covering seeds very lightly and keeping moist until sprouts appear. Set outside after last frost or direct sow in the garden, two weeks before last frost. Cutting back after flowering encourages reblooming.

(Monarda didyma) Perennial zones 3-9. Profusions of scarlet blooms will beckon pollinators and other beneficial bugs to the garden. Perennial plants reach 30 inches tall and form clumps that will return each year with gusto. The plants will typically bloom in their second year and can be divided in year 3 to 4 for an endless supply of this potent pollinator magnet. Also makes an excellent tea.

• Sun: 6-12 hrs
• Sprouts in 14-21 days
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
• Ideal Temperature: 60-90 F
• Plant Spacing: 12 " apart
• Frost Hardy: YES
• Monarda didyma

Growing Tips: Perennial zones 4-9. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after last frost. Surface sow and keep moist. Light aids in germination.

A beautiful mix of this pollinator-friendly perennial. Shades of mauve, lavender, purple, pink, and more will entice butterflies, bees and, of course, hummingbirds. A delightful edible, medicinal, & ornamental, the leaves and flowers can be steeped into teas, homemade cough syrups, jellies, and more. This showy mix is a top choice.

• 6-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 14-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 60-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Monarda didyma
  

Growing Tips: Perennial zones 4-9. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after last frost. Surface Sowand keep moist. Light aids in germination.

(Monarda punctata) Perennial. What a unique pagoda-style bloom that people and pollinators equally love! While the flowers of this plant are usually yellow with maroon splashes, the real show is in the powdery pink leaf-like bracts. Great for deer-resistant and low-maintenance gardens. Commercially, it has been used because it has more of the beneficial aromatic thymol than other members of the mint family. During flooding and drought conditions, this plant shines and has been called the toughest plant in the garden.

• 6-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 14-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 60-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Monarda punctata
  

Growing Tips: Perennial zones 4-9. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after last frost. Surface Sowand keep moist. Light aids in germination.

(Monarda fistulosa) A perennial that is popular with pollinators. This wildflower is native to the prairies, plains, meadows, and pastures of North America. The aromatic foliage is reminiscent of oregano, and the flowers range in shades of Earl Grey to lavender and pink. An important nectar plant for native bees and long used in traditional medicine!

• 6-12 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 14-21 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 60-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: Surface Sow
  
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Monarda fistulosa
  

Growing Tips: Perennial zones 4-9. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after last frost. Surface Sowand keep moist. Light aids in germination.