Monarda
( mon - NARD - uh )
At-A-Glance Information
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This genus of flowering perennials needs light shade in warmer climates and regular to ample amounts of water for best performance. They are commonly known as Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, or Horsemint. The bright-colored flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden, and they are native to the eastern areas of North America. These plants grow 2-4 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide, spreading rapidly to form colonies. They are not, however, considered to be invasive. Leaves are dark green and smell like a mix of mint and basil, and flowers are borne in tight clusters at stem tips. They are not long-lived plants in climates that have warm winters and hot, long summers. |
Monarda Species and Varietals
The genus Monarda is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae and includes around 22 species. The best growing zones for Monarda vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Beebalm, Bradbury's Beebalm) These plants are native to many areas in the southeastern United States. The species produces a 1-2 foot tall plant. Tubular flowers are light pink to white, curved, and about 1 inch long. |
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Monarda citriodora (Lemon Beebalm, Lemon Mint, Purple Horsemint) Foliage, when crushed, emits an odor reminiscent of lemons and/or oregano. Flowers are purple, and are highly attractive to pollinators. Blooms appear in May through July. Plants are native to prairies and roadsides in the southern United States. Leaves can be added to salads, used to flavor wines and liqueurs, and can give great taste to cakes, sauces, pies, seafood, and meat dishes. |
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Monarda clinopodia (White Bergamot, Basil Bee Balm, White Bee Balm) These plants are native to southeastern North America and forms a perennial herb that reaches between 3 and 7 feet tall when mature. Flowers are white to pink, spotted with darker colors. These plants prefer moist woodlands, thickets, and ravine or stream bank landscapes, and bloom between June through September. |
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Monarda clinopodioides (Basil Beebalm) These plants are native to Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas, and reach about a foot tall when mature. Leaves have small hairs and teeth, and are green. Flowers have green bracts, and are pink to purple in color. |
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Monarda didyma (Crimson Beebalm, Scarlet Beebalm, Scarlet Monarda, Eau-de-Cologne Plant, Oswego Tea) This species is a perennial that reaches up to 4 feet tall when in bloom. Plants spread to 2 feet wide. Leaves are medium to deep green, and emit a minty fragrance when crushed. The plant has an odor similar to bergamot orange. Flowers are bright red and tubular. Plants typically grow in dense clusters along streambanks and in moist areas. Varieties have flower colors in red, pink, and lavender. All bloom over a 2-month period. Popular mildew-resistant varieties are outlined below. |
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'Violet Queen'
A selection with lavender flowers. |
'Marshall's Delight'
With pink flowers. |
'Claire Grace'
This variety reaches 4-5 feet tall and has lavender-rose blossoms. |
'Petite Delight'
This variety has flowers in rosy lavender and reaches 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide. |
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Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm) This wildflower species of Monarda grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-10 and 14-17. Flowers are lavender to light pink and have white-tinted bracts. They have a wildflower look to them and are loved by bees and other beneficial insects. |
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Monarda media (Purple Bergamot) This species is native to eastern North America, and reaches between 2 and 3 feet tall when in bloom. Flowers produced by these plants are purple-red in color, with purple bracts. These plants prefer to grow in swampy habitats, like stream beds or depressed areas. |
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Monarda punctata (Spotted Beebalm, Horsemint) This species is native to eastern Canada, the eastern United States, and northeastern Mexico. Plants smell like thyme, and produce showy heads of purple-spotted yellow flowers above large white to pink-tipped bracts. Bracts are ornamental longer than the flowers. |
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Monarda viridissima (Green Beebalm, Texas Beebalm) This species is endemic to Texas and is a perennial herbaceous plant with green foliage. Flower bracts range from white to green to pinkish-purple, and flowers can be white, red, pink or purple, blooming in June through October. These flowers are considered endangered due to habitat loss and fire suppression efforts. |
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Caring for Monarda
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
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A field of thea sinensis
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Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'
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Videos
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A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 445, Monarda
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
