8/10/2023 0 Comments Bee balm plant information![]() Mulching can also help with moisture regulation.A perennial favorite, bee balm ( Monarda spp.), aka wild bergamot, flowers in mid- to late summer. Weed on a regular basis to improve air circulation. Reduce watering, especially during periods of high humidity. Divide the plants every few years in the autumn. In the spring, thin the stems to enable more light and air into the plant. ![]() To begin, select a planting place that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. While mildew is unavoidable during high-humidity seasons, there are precautions you may take to reduce the risk of mildew. It thrives in humid settings with minimal air movement. It survives on plant waste and spreads its spores by wind and water. This gray, powdery fungus settles on the plant’s foliage and spreads from there, browning and drooping the leaves. Powdery mildew is a fungus that frequently wreaks havoc on bee balm plants. In all of these instances, regular weeding and early identification of insects can help you eliminate the problem quickly, usually by using insecticidal soap. When cutting through the stem, you can find 1.5-inch-long caterpillars. Yellow trash will surround wilting plants with tiny holes in the stems. Stalk borer larvae burrow into plant stems and feed on the tissue within. Plants may develop spotting, discoloration, and deformed foliage, and they may finally lose their leaves. Spider mites consume bee balm plants by sucking fluid from the leaves and petals. ![]() Aphids feed on plant foliage, draining it and secreting honeydew, a sticky liquid that covers the leaves and can lead to mold formation. There are a few insects that like to eat bee balm, but they’re usually easy to deal with. To keep invaders from competing with the plant’s shallow roots, weed the plant’s base on a regular basis. Consistenteadheading will lengthen the blooming season and avoid self-seeding. Pruningįans of bee balm appreciate the plant’s wild, rustic appearance, but it should still be pruned on a regular basis. In the early spring, a small amount of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, sprinkled around each plant is usually sufficient.Įxcessive fertilization should be avoided since that can lead to powdery mildew on the plant. Fertilizationīee balm does not require as much or as frequent fertilization as other plants. As a result, depending on your climate and location, you should water the plant frequently enough so that the soil never dries out completely.Ī constant watering regimen is especially important during the first year of cultivation, when the root system establishes itself. Care Guide Wateringīee balm is a moisture-loving plant that thrives in wet conditions. This pink variety appears to thrive practically anywhere, including in the hard clay soil of my garden. My favorite variety is mondarda fistulosa. Which Variety to Grow?Įvery variety of bee balm is lovely. I have also spotted hummingbird moths near my plants, which look much like lethargic hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are drawn to all varieties, but particularly to monarda didyma and fistulosa. Overall, this plant might be considered a pollinator powerhouse. I have planted them in my garden and let them compete for space with other grasses and flowers.Īpart from blossoming, the most important reason to cultivate bee balm is that it is good for pollinators! Bees and other pollinators will be drawn to the plants due to the large quantity of blossoms and the length of the bloom period. They’re capable of putting on quite a show. The blossoms of Bee Balm are quite beautiful, as evidenced by the photos. The plants attract a range of useful animals to the garden, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bee balm belongs to the mint family, with fragrant leaves and a variety of culinary and medicinal uses.īee balm plants bloom in mid to late summer with clusters of crimson, pink, or purple tubular blossoms and are best planted in the spring or autumn. General Informationīee balm is an herbaceous perennial native to North America, valued for its beautiful, colorful flowers. If you’re looking for a plant to add long-lasting color to your garden, bee balm may be the answer-the plants are long-blooming perennials that grow swiftly and can reach heights of three feet or more. Best of all, true to its name, it attracts pollinators to my garden. After some searching, I learned that bee balm was just what I needed. When I first started my garden, I wanted to establish native plants with lovely, colorful blossoms.
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