Scientific Name:
Monarda didyma
cvs.
Pronunciation:
muh-NAR-duh DID-ih-muh
Common Name:
bee balm
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Stems four sided; leaves opposite, margins serrate, petioles red, scented like bergamot orange; inflorescence a dense globular, terminal verticillaster (head-like with some cvs. superficially like coneflower), outer florets 3-4cm long.
Habit:
Arching, Dense, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Canada - eastern, U.S. - northeast
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Fragrance, Group or mass planting, Herb, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Summer interest, Tall background, Waterside planting
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Pubescent, Distinctive smell
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green, reddish veins
Colour in Fall:
Red
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Serrate
Additional Info:
6-15cm long x 3-8cm wide, reddish veins
Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster, Floriferous, Head-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Red (cv. 'Raspberry Wine' has wine-red flowers; white, pink and dark red cvs. exist)
Flower Scent:
Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Reddish bracts; florets 3-4cm long
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes, Stipule, leafy
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Dead head spent flowers. Self spreading in moist areas; need morning sun and good air culrculation to limit powdery mildew.
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Rust (Pest resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1155
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (WDH) Wark-Dumais House
- (WLG) WoodLand Garden