Beebalm
Monarda didyma
Scarlet whorled flower heads in July and August, timed for hummingbirds stocking up before migration. Aromatic foliage, architectural seed heads.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The hummingbird magnet of midsummer, with a fragrance that fills the garden and seed heads that last through fall.
Beebalm in full bloom is one of the summer garden's most arresting moments. The scarlet flower heads, ragged whorls of tubular petals circling each stem, open in July and August at exactly the time hummingbirds are stocking up on nectar for migration. Watch a patch on a clear morning and you may count a dozen visits before the dew dries. The foliage carries a sharp, oregano-like fragrance that you notice whenever you brush past or work nearby. It spreads by rhizome into an expanding colony over time, which can be an asset in a naturalized area or something to manage at the border edge. Newer plantings rarely need staking. Powdery mildew can appear in humid sites; improve air circulation and select resistant forms for long-term success. The seed heads are architectural and attractive through fall.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown beebalm propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft · 18–30 in wide
- Bloom time
- July–August
- Bloom color
- Red
- USDA zones
- 3–9
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America from Quebec south to Georgia, primarily in mountains and rich woodlands
Care notes for beebalm.
Full to part sun in moist to average soil. Tolerates heavy clay with adequate drainage. Divide every two to three years to prevent powdery mildew and maintain vigor. Deadhead to extend blooming. Cut back hard after first frost.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside beebalm.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.