Monarda 'Grape Gumball' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.
bee balm
Monarda 'Grape Gumball'
Bee balm (Monarda 'Grape Gumball') is an attractive and fragrant flowering herb that blooms throughout the summer. It has dense, silvery-green foliage with showy, pink-purple blossoms that attract pollinating bees and other beneficial insects. The sweet, menthol smell of its blooms is strong enough to perfume the surrounding landscape, and the flowers can be dried and used for teas. Bee balm's vibrant colors and scent make it an ideal choice for adding color to gardens, along with its other characteristics like drought tolerance and heat resistance. Attracting beautiful pollinators and creating a landscape of rich color - that's bee balm.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Frequent
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 9
Flowers:
Magenta purple Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Bee balm (Monarda 'Grape Gumball') is a beautiful flowering plant that requires regular watering to thrive and flower profusely. For optimal results, it should be watered deeply once every week during the summer, for both outdoor and indoor plants. To ensure that the water is able to reach the deepest roots, the soil should be thoroughly moistened. When watering, the soil should be drenched until water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot or container, as this will ensure the plant is hydrated beyond the surface. During winter, when the soil is likely to stay wetter, water once every 10 to 14 days. Additionally, be sure to check the soil occasionally to ensure it hasn't dried out too much.
sunlight
Bee balm (Monarda 'Grape Gumball') prefers to be in an area that is partially to mostly shaded, and will thrive best with at least 6 hours of indirect light per day. Full-sun exposure for 6-8 hours a day in the spring or early summer is fine, but if the temperatures tend to be hot, the plant would benefit from some afternoon shading. Keeping Bee Balm evenly moist and making sure the soil is well-drained will also ensure better growth. Bee Balm is generally considered a woodland shade plant, as it can tolerate either morning or early afternoon sun exposure, but should still have some sun every day.
pruning
Bee balm (Monarda 'Grape Gumball') should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Prune plants back to a height of about 1-third of their original size; any dead or diseased branches should be removed. Removing spent blooms will also help to promote more vigorous and healthy growth the following season. After pruning, apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Monarda 'Grape Gumball' typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.
Hardiness Map
FAQ
Is bee balm a native plant?
Yes, bee balm is a native plant. It is a member of the mint family and is native to much of North America. It is easy to grow and is popular in home gardens and butterfly gardens. The plant is often referred to as wild bergamot, horsemint and bee balm and typically blooms in late summer or early fall. Its fragrant flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.
Should I plant bee balm in a container or on the ground?
Bee balm is an attractive, fragrant flowering plant that does well in both containers and planted directly in the ground. When planting bee balm in a container, be sure to choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes, and fill it with quality potting soil, or a blend of soil with compost. For best results, plant bee balm in direct sunlight, or in a spot where it will get at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight. When planting bee balm directly in the ground, be sure to choose a location with well-draining soil and plenty of space for it to spread and thrive. Adding a layer of compost to the soil will increase drainage and help it thrive. No matter where you plant bee balm, be sure to water regularly, and remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Could bee balm be used in a butterfly garden?
Yes, bee balm can absolutely be used in a butterfly garden. This herbaceous mint produces beautiful, vibrant flowers in shades of red, white, and pink that attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies. In addition to its colorful flowers, bee balm has a strong scent that can be used to entice butterflies even more. To ensure that butterflies visit your butterfly garden, plant bee balm in a sunny location and keep the soil moist.
Is bee balm drought-tolerant?
Yes, bee balm is considered to be very drought-tolerant once established. It can withstand periods of dry weather and does not require frequent watering to survive. It does, however, respond best to wetter conditions, so watering regularly is recommended for optimal health. Bee balm is also suitable for growing in xeriscapes, which are areas with very low water requirements.
Should I deadhead bee balm flowers?
Deadheading bee balm flowers is definitely recommended. This simple process helps to encourage further bloom, as well as preventing the flowers from going to seed. To deadhead, simply use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut off the stems that have already bloomed. Be careful not to prune too far back, as this could potentially damage the plant in the process. After deadheading, be sure to dispose of the cuttings away from the plant, to prevent the spread of disease.
Is bee balm annual or perennial?
Bee balm, also called Monarda, is an herbaceous perennial plant from the mint family. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the vibrant colors and aroma of bee balm. The plant is easy to grow, but is usually only grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. In colder zones, bee balm will die to the ground as winter sets in, but will return in the spring.
Could bee balm be used in herb gardens?
Yes, bee balm can be used in herb gardens. Bee balm is an attractive perennial herb that provides color and fragrant blossoms, which is beneficial to any herb garden. Bee balm also attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. It is easy to grow and care for and can be used in a variety of culinary and medicinal recipes. Bee balm is an ideal ornamental herb to include in any herb garden.
