Bee balm flowers are brilliant additions to late-summer herb gardens and flower borders. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other nectar-seeking creatures covet the tubular flowers on the plant's rounded flower heads, and the leaves and flowers can also be made into tea. Other common names include horsemint, wild bergamot, and Oswego tea.
About This Plant
Bee balm flower colors include pink, red, and white; new
double-flowered forms are also available. The plant blooms from early to late
summer and grows 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Some bee balm
species tolerate wet soil and will thrive along a waterway or in a bog garden.
Bee balm is susceptible to powdery mildew disease, so select resistant
varieties. Under favorable growing conditions the plant can become invasive.
Special Features
- Easy care/low maintenance
- Multiplies readily
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Attracts butterflies
- Tolerates wet soil
Site Selection
Select a site with full sun to light shade and rich, well-drained
soil. Some species tolerate wet soils, while others are adaptable to a wide
range of soil moisture levels.
Planting Instructions
Plant in spring or fall, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Prepare
garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen soil to a depth of 12 to
15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the
diameter of the plant's container. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and
place it in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface.
Carefully fill in around the rootball and firm the soil gently. Water
thoroughly.
Care
Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch
layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the
summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Remove spent flowers to keep
plants looking tidy. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch
or two above soil line. Divide plants in spring every few years or when you
notice the center of the plant dying out.
Source: http://www.garden.org
