There are so many reasons to grow Monarda in your garden! Bee balm, horsemint, bergamot, and Oswego tea flower are common names for this pretty flowering plant. We’ve grown monarda in our flower garden for many years.
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The original monarda variety we have has a beautiful fuchsia flower. Bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies love the nectar-rich flowers and are irresistibly drawn to them. This particular variety grows 3-4 feet high. I love these plants, but wanted a lower-growing version.
Electric Pink Monarda
Last year, I ordered a lower-growing variety in a pink shade.
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This variety is called Electric Pink Monarda. When I received these, they were small plants, but they took off quickly. Although they grew quite well, they didn’t bloom last year.
Patience paid off. This year, the plants have buds and are beginning to bloom. The plants have multiplied and look very healthy. At this point, the tallest measures 15 inches high. In comparison to our established bee balm, I like their compact size.
It’s not imperative, but you might want to deadhead bee balm throughout the season. By removing spent flower heads, you redirect energy into new buds instead of allowing flower heads to go into seed production. Check your flowers every couple of days and remove spent blossoms. Then, cut the flower stem back to just above the first set of leaves or where you see a developing side bud
Benefits of Monarda
These 5 benefits of Monarda go beyond its pretty blooms.
#1 Monarda attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbird moths, and hummingbirds. We need to support our local pollinators by providing essential nourishment.
#2 Monarda blooms are colorful in shades of red, pink, purple, and white that last all summer. They bloom from late spring until late summer, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your garden.
#3 Monarda has antiseptic and medicinal properties. It can be used in many forms, as a tincture, tea, vinegar, syrup, or as an addition to your recipes. It has been used to treat headaches, fevers, and digestive issues. You can find more on this at Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary.#4 Monarda is a member of the mint family and the minty scent can deter certain pests from your garden. Mosquitoes, rabbits, and deer do not like the strong scent.
#5 Monarda is an easy-to-care-for plant, making it a good choice for all gardeners. It loves full sun or partial shade. This plant flourishes in a variety of different soils but doesn’t like soggy roots. Be sure to plant in well-drained soil.
This evening, as I sat and watched the female hummingbird flit from one bee balm flower to another, it reaffirmed my love for this native perennial plant…
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