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, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 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.
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