My Cart
Checkout using your account
Checkout as a new customer
Creating an account has many benefits:
Elevate your garden with the captivating charm of Bee Balm, also known as Monarda. Explore the benefits of our Bee Balm collection, including vibrant blooms, pollinator attraction, and aromatic foliage. Discover the beauty and functionality of Bee Balm at Wayside Gardens.
Bee balm (Monarda), also known as wild bergamot, is a standout perennial beloved for its bold, colorful blooms, fragrant foliage, and pollinator-friendly appeal. These stunning flowers add a burst of energy to gardens while attracting pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, making them an essential choice for any eco-conscious landscape.
Bee Balm Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Botanical Name | Monarda spp |
| Common Names | Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Bergamot, Oswego Tea |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Soil Type | Well-drained, moist, rich in organic matter |
| Water Needs | Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but is drought-tolerant once estab |
| Bloom Time | Midsummer to Early Fall |
| Flower Colors | Red, Pink, Purple, White |
| Foliage | Fragrant, mint-scented, deep green leaves |
| Growth Habit | Clump-forming perennial with spreading rhizomes |
| Height | 12" to 48" (varies by variety) |
| Spacing | 18" to 24" apart |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Resistant To | Deer, Pests, Drought (once established) |
| Uses | Pollinator Gardens, Borders, Cottage Gardens, Meadow Plantings, Herbal Teas |
| Maintenance | Low, provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of powdery mildew |
| Cold Hardiness | USDA Zones 3-9 |
Bee balm flowers bloom in brilliant shades of red, pink, purple, and white, forming distinctive, fringed flower heads that bring a wild, cottage-garden charm to borders and beds. Their long-lasting blooms provide a vibrant display from summer into early fall, keeping your garden lively throughout the season.
Few plants rival the pollinator power of bee balm. As a rich nectar source, wild bergamot draws in hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, making it a must-have native plant for those looking to support local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Beyond its eye-catching flowers, monarda boasts aromatic foliage with a fresh, minty scent that enhances any sensory garden. The leaves can also be used in herbal teas and natural remedies, making bee balm both a decorative and functional addition to your garden.
A low-maintenance perennial, bee balm plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and adapt well to various soil conditions. They are drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and naturally resistant to many pests, making them a reliable and rewarding choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
As a vigorous grower, wild bergamot fills out spaces quickly, making it ideal for naturalized plantings, cottage gardens, and meadow-style landscapes. Its ability to spread and create lush clusters makes it an excellent ground cover option for adding texture and movement to your outdoor space.
At Wayside Gardens, we curate a stunning selection of bee balm plants, ensuring you find the perfect variety for your garden. Whether you're seeking compact, vibrant blooms for small spaces or taller, showy varieties for dramatic borders, our handpicked bee balm selections offer something for every landscape.
Monarda ‘Balmy’ Bee Balm Varieties – Dwarf bee balm plants perfect for container gardens and tight spaces. Growing just 10-12 inches tall, this variety features bold, richly colored blooms in shades of pink, purple, and lilac, bringing big impact in a small package. Its compact size makes it ideal for pollinator gardens, patio containers, and edging walkways.
Monarda ‘Sugar Buzz’ Bee Balm Varieties – Known for its lush, dense growth and prolific blooms, Sugar Buzz bee balm plants produce masses of colorful blooms on compact, well-branched plants (reaching 18-24 inches in height). With a deliciously fragrant scent and colors ranging from hot pink to rich purple, this variety is perfect for cottage gardens, perennial beds, and naturalized plantings.
Monarda ‘Upscale’ Bee Balm Varieties – This monarda offers tall, upright growth (up to 30 inches) with large, showy blooms that create a striking vertical presence in borders. Available in vibrant shades of scarlet, magenta, and deep pink, the Upscale series is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a must-have for wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Location: Prefers full sun for best blooms but tolerates light shade.
Planting: Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist until plant is established, especially in hot, dry conditions. Mulch helps retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring to encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
Pruning & Maintenance: Deadhead spent bee balm flowers to extend the blooming period. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring to encourage fresh growth.
Powdery Mildew Prevention: Provide good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of mildew.
With its striking blooms, fragrant foliage, and pollinator appeal, bee balm is an excellent choice for vibrant, wildlife-friendly gardens. Whether you're creating a hummingbird haven, filling in cottage-style borders, or simply looking for an easy-to-grow perennial, monarda is a must-have addition to your landscape.
Shop our handpicked selection today and bring the beauty of bee balm flowers into your garden!
