Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Bee Balm)
Eastern Bee Balm, Eastern Beebalm
Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Bee Balm) is a compact, clump-forming perennial boasting showy soft pinkish-lavender tubular flowers, speckled with purple, held in dense, globular terminal heads, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). Blooming for 3-4 weeks in late spring, they rest upon a whorl of purplish-tinged bracts and attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. The foliage of gray-green aromatic leaves may be used to flavor teas. This species is resistant to powdery mildew. Eastern Bee Balm is regarded by many as a superior Monarda for the garden, thanks to its mildew resistance, petite size, early blooms, and less aggressive spreading. Eastern Bee Balm is best suited to perennial borders, wild gardens, prairies, and meadows.
- Grows in clumps up to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 cm). Tends to self-seed.
- Performs best in full sun or partial shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soils. Drought tolerant.
- This showy perennial is a striking addition to mixed borders, prairies and meadows.
- Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, but this plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
- The essential oils of Eastern Bee Balms show good repellent activity against the yellow fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti. Find 18 best plants that repel mosquitoes.
- Providing good air circulation to combat powdery mildew is important.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Native to southern and central United States
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Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Monarda - Bee Balms |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By Along, Shutterstock
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 5
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Monarda - Bee Balms |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) |
Height | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |