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Monarda ‘Blue Moon’ (Bee Balm)

Bee Balm 'Blue Moon', Bergamot 'Blue Moon', Sugar Buzz Series

Monarda 'Blue Moon',Bee Balm 'Blue Moon', Bergamot 'Blue Moon', Lavender Monarda, Lavender beebalm, Lavender flowers
Monarda 'Blue Moon',Bee Balm 'Blue Moon', Bergamot 'Blue Moon', Lavender Monarda, Lavender beebalm, Lavender flowers

Compact, Monarda ‘Blue Moon’ (Bee Balm) is a clump-forming perennial boasting lavender-blue flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), borne in dense, globular terminal heads. Blooming for weeks from mid to late summer, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purple bracts and attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds. The showy blossoms rise on strong, well-branched stems, clad with aromatic, dark green leaves, which exude a mint fragrance when crushed, and are often used to flavor teas. Creating captivating border displays, this Bee Balm variety is perfectly suited to the middle of the flower border. It enjoys above-average resistance to powdery mildew.

  • Grows in clumps of upright stems, up to 20 in. tall (50 cm) and 18-22 in. wide (45-55 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or partial shade in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. It is not too fussy about soils, provided they are consistently kept moist. Protect from excessive winter wet and do not allow it to dry out in summer. Providing good air circulation to combat powdery mildew is important.
  • This showy perennial is a striking addition to informal borders. The boldness of its blooms makes it terrific for massing or as an accent plant. Great for containers and small gardens, it makes excellent cut flowers too.
  • Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, but this plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms. Fast-growing, Monarda spreads vigorously and will need to be divided every 3 years.
  • Should be cut to the ground after flowering to promote the growth of new healthy shoots and leaves.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Monarda
Common names Bee Balm
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Monarda media (Purple Bergamot)
Monarda ‘Blue Stocking’ (Bee Balm)
Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm)
Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm)
Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ (Bee Balm)
Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Bee Balm)

Recommended Companion Plants

Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’ (Culver’s Root)
Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ (Garden Phlox)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Helenium ‘Waltraut’ (Sneezeweed)
Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ (Bettony)
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
Hummingbird
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Monarda
Common names Bee Balm
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Monarda (Bee Balm)
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Monarda (Bee Balm)
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