#Bee balm plant how to#
#Bee balm plant full#

Soil that is allowed to substantially dry out can contribute to summertime problems with powdery mildew and weaken the plant. Watering: Bee-balm prefers evenly moist, well-draining soil. It will need to be supervised unless you want it to spread. Though not considered invasive, it is part of the mint family and spreads rather aggressively.

#Bee balm plant full#

It is a fast-growing perennial that often reaches full height and flowering maturity in its first season. Height/Spread: Upright habit, 1-3 feet tall and 8-12 inches wide. Bee balm is usually planted in the spring or fall from container-grown nursery plants. Native to the North Carolina mountains, it may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway. If your garden battles high winds in summer, it would be advisable to create a string and stake network for the plant to grow through at planting time. dotted bee balm, dotted horsemint) Monarda punctata. Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Staking: Taller cultivars of bee balm occasionally need staking, but usually the strong square stems do a good job of keeping it upright and stray outer stems can be cut off. Growth Habit: Bee balm can grow up to 4 ft tall with a spread of 3-4 ft, but dwarf varieties top out at just 15 inches, with a spread of 18-24 inches.

#Bee balm plant how to#

How to Grow Bee Balm Throughout the Season Either time of year works well however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, it's best to trim back the foliage to encourage the plant to focus its energy towards the roots. Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. It will intensively spread over a season via a mat of underground stems (stolons), but can be kept under control by regular digging and dividing. Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.īee balm is in the mint family, and absolutely lives up to the family name.

Transplant bee balm plants into garden 1-2 ft. Seedlings emerge in 14-21 days at 60-70 F. Press seeds into the soil but do not cover because light helps bee balm seeds to germinate. Boggy conditions are not tolerated, nor are soils that are allowed to dry out for long periods of time. To Plant Bee Balm Seeds: Sow seeds in good quality seed starting mix in cell packs or flats. Space bee balm plants 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and fertile, well. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens. Plant bee balm in spring or fall, once all chances of frost have passed. Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time. If you cannot plant them at once in permanent positions, shallowly heel them into a temporary position and keep them well-watered until transplanting. Plant them as soon as they arrive in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. Bee balm is available to plant in the spring and fall. When & Where to Plant Bee Balm Light: Bee balm does best in full sun.