What is the difference between Bee Balm and Monarda?
The herb bergamot is known by the botanical name of Monarda didyma. It is commonly referred to by its English name of bergamot or bee balm (because of its tendency to attract bees). Bee balm is a herb native to the woodlands of North America.
Is Monarda didyma invasive?
The Bee balm flower – also referred to as monarda – is relatively easy to grow from seeds, cuttings, and root divisions. In fact, the plant can become invasive and spread every year with the right growing season. This is because it quickly spreads via underground rhizomes.
Is Monarda didyma a perennial?
A popular garden perennial, Red Beebalm (Monarda didyma) holds a special place in the midsummer color scheme with its bright scarlet flowers. As the name suggests it is favored by pollinators, and is highly attractive to hummingbirds as well.
Should I deadhead Monarda didyma?
Bee balm (Monarda) begin to bloom in July and will continue to bloom throughout late summer. To encourage bountiful clusters of flowers, you will want to deadhead the plant throughout its entire bloom time. As the flowers begin to wilt and fade, cut just above the next flower bud.
Is wild bergamot the same thing as bee balm?
Monarda fistulosa, also referred to as purple bee balm and wild bergamot, contains carvacrol which gives it a spicy flavor similar to Greek oregano.
What can I plant with Monarda didyma?
Monarda didyma has Showy Blooms and is appropriate for Cottage Gardens, Deer Resistant Plantings, Low Maintenance Plantings and Perennial Borders. COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing Monarda didyma with Coreopsis tripteris, Rudbeckia hirta, Liatris spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii.
How do you care for Monarda didyma?
Plenty of sun and good air circulation help prevent the disease. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow air to circulate freely. Use nitrogen fertilizer sparingly or use a slow-release fertilizer. Water the plants in midmorning so they will dry quickly.
Where does Monarda didyma grow in North America?
Monarda didyma, known by a number of different common names including Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, and Bergamot, is native to eastern North America where it typically occurs in bottomlands, thickets, moist woods and along streambanks from Maine to Minnesota south to Missouri and Georgia.
What kind of tea is Monarda didyma used for?
Monarda didyma was a popular substitute for “real tea” ( Camellia sinensis) after the Boston Tea Party. True tea was imported from Britain and taxed by the Crown. This species is sometimes called Oswego tea for the Native American tribe who made great use of it.
Are there any toxic effects from Monarda didyma?
Monarda didyma has no toxic effects reported. Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch.
How often should I Divide my Monarda didyma?
On soil that stays moist, plants can spread fairly quickly so clumps may need to be divided about every three years. Monarda didyma is extremely attractive to bees. Grow plants in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Mulch around the roots with garden compost annually, and divide congested clumps in spring.