As with Echinacea, the hybridizers have been working with the "Bee Balms." New colors have been created, each one offering us even more of these treasured American classics. About the Monardas This is a hybrid of the famous American wildflower with the "bright red crown-shaped" flowers, a description of the large scarlet blooms everyone and every hummingbird loves.
There are other species, but our famous Monarda or "Bee Balm" is native from the far north all the way south to Georgia, it was first "discovered" by world famous plant explorer John Bartram during the colonial era. Since it's a member of the mint family with fragrant foliage, bee balm was always a medicinal plant of the native Americans, and today adds wonderful color to perennial gardens and wildflower meadows. It's a strong-growing perennial that likes moisture, and will grow in sun or partial shade.
As with all bee balms, the bloom begins in mid-summer, and if you cut off spent flowers for about three weeks, you'll extend the blooming into fall.
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Color: Light pink flowers over burgundy purple bracts with dark stems and purple tinged foliage.
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Spread/Width: 18-24" wide
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Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
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Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade
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Soil Preferences: Prefers a rich, organic, moist soil but will grow in average soil. Do not let the soil dry out.
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Variety: Beauty of Cobham
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Advantages: Deer resistant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Fragrant foliage.
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