bee balm pacific northwest

Where does bee balm grow best?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

Are bee balm and bergamot the same thing?

Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. ... Bergamot was identified in the sixteenth century by the Spanish medical botanist Nicolas de Monardes, whose name is used to identify this genus of plants.

Does bee balm spread?

Division. Bee balms spread rapidly via underground stems or stolons. In addition, the centers of the clumps often die out within a few years. To control their spread and rejuvenate the plants, it's usually necessary to dig and divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years.

What does bee balm attract?

Bee balm is a great addition to a pollinator garden. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and the seed heads will attract birds in the fall and winter.

Why did my bee balm die?

Hot temperatures coupled with low humidity or dry conditions can cause drooping and wilting in many plants, including bee balm. Heat causes the leaves to lose water through transpiration, especially in dry conditions. ... Temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit can be a problem, and at 95 degrees the flowers can die.

Is bee balm poisonous?

Edible Parts

The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads.

Is wild bergamot poisonous?

The toxicological effects of thymol include gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and external rashes, although there have been no reports of toxic ingest plants or extracts of the Monarda species (11.1-136, 14.1-35). ... Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa L., is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States.

Is wild bergamot invasive?

Wild Bergamot is in the mint family and spreads by slender underground rhizomes, though it is clump forming and not invasive.

What does wild bergamot smell like?

Fragrance and Foliage

Bergamot is a member of mint family (Lamiaceae) and, as such, has fragrant leaves. Bergamot's leaves smell like oregano, according to the Illinois Wildflowers website, but the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website states the leaves have a minty aroma. Some people use the leaves to make tea.

Does bee balm like sun or shade?

Culture: Prefers a well-drained site and a rich soil; will not perform well if planted in wet soils. Plant in full sun to partial shade (in warm climates). In partial shade beebalm tends to spread more readily.

Is bee balm invasive?

Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. ... This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions. Luckily, bee balm is very forgiving.

Is bee balm toxic to dogs?

It contains cardiac glycoside, a toxin that can cause severe heart problems in pets. Instead, try: Bee Balm.

Does lemon balm repel bees?

BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests. ... The pretty generic name, Melissa, meaning “bee” in Greek, belongs to lemon balm.

What is the difference between bee balm and lemon balm?

The difference between Bee balm and Lemon balm

When used as nouns, bee balm means the aromatic plant monarda didyma or bergamot, native to north america, whereas lemon balm means a perennial herb, melissa officinalis, of southern europe.

Does bee balm bloom all summer?

Bee balm begins blooming in early summer and continues through late summer and early fall. As the flowers begin to fade, snip off the blossoms before they form seed heads. This encourages the plants to produce more flowers. It also helps reduce reseeding in the flowerbeds.

Does bee balm die after flowering?

Bee balm flowers don't retain any ornamental qualities after they fade. The formation of seeds can cause the quick decline of the foliage so the whole plant begins to die back before the end of the growing season.

Does bee balm come back every year?

The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden.

Why is my bee balm not blooming?

The most common problem is a lack of sun. Bee balm thrives in full sun, and most varieties need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day in order to bloom well. ... Another common problem with bee balm is improper water or humidity. The plants like moderate irrigation – during periods of drought, water deeply once per week.

Are gladiolus poisonous to humans?

An ancient name for the gladiolus was xiphium, from the Greek word xiphos, also meaning sword. ... Some parts of the Gladiolus plant are poisonous if ingested and handling some species may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Are camellias poisonous to humans?

Camellia Toxicity

Camellias are rated by several groups such as the California Poison Center, the University of California and the University of Connecticut as safe garden plants. ... A safe rating means the plant is not toxic to humans.

Why are lilies poisonous to cats?

Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. ... Early signs of lily toxicity in cats include decreased activity level, drooling, vomiting, and loss of appetite.