Monarda 'Jacob Cline'

Monarda 'Jacob Cline' is a showy perennial blooming summer to early fall in enormous boldly colored, shaggy red flowers above dark-purplish bracts. Borne singly atop long, willowy, square stems, the eye-catching, nectar-rich blossoms come in abundance; attract tons of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; and make excellent cuts for vase or arrangements.

A Monarda didyma variety, commonly called bee balm and bergamot, 'Jacob Cline' is a tall, clump-forming herbaceous plant with a mounding habit of medium-green foliage that emits a minty scent when crushed or bruised. The plant is fast-growing, rhizomatous, and self-seeding and forms colonies over time. An attractive plant even when not in bloom, 'Jacob Cline' is shown to best effect when mass planted in borders and beds but also makes a lovely specimen and fits nicely in a container.

An easy-care plant, cold hardy to Zone 4, bee balm grows best in sunny to partly sunny locations with rich, moist, well-drained soils but tolerates heavier clay. In hot summer climates, some shade may be beneficial. Although the plant is mildew and disease resistant, providing good air circulation helps combat disease. The plant is also deer and rabbit resistant. Deadheading spent flowers promotes blooming.

A native plant, monarda is indigenous to North America and was discovered growing wild in Virginia. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.