Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' beebalm from North Creek Nurseries

Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'

Common: beebalm

Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' - 72 per flat

  • Height: 3'-4'
  • Spread: 2'
  • Spacing: 12"-24"
  • Hardiness Zone(s): 3-8

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Plant Details

A White Flower Farm introduction. The buds really do resemble raspberries! Clear wine-red flowers from June through August. Very mildew resistant. Cherished by butterflies and hummingbirds, but loathed by deer. Also makes an excellent cut flower.


Characteristics & Attributes

Exposure

  • Full Sun
  • Part Sun

Soil Moisture Needs

  • Moist
  • Average

Plug Type

  • Horticultural Plug

For Animals

  • Pollinator-friendly
  • Hummingbird-friendly
  • Deer Resistant

Attributes

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Fragrant
  • Edible
  • Cut Flower

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Summer

Propagation Type

  • Vegetative

Care & Maintenance

Prefers average to moist, organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Do not let the soil dry out. Needs good air circulation. Deadhead to prolong flowering season. Has creeping rhizomes that usually form in clumps. Propagated by seed and division every 2-3 years. Best used in mass plantings in perennial gardens, cutting gardens, and along streams.

Interesting Notes

Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ was introduced by White Flower Farm in 1992. Clear wine-red flowers bloom from June through August with buds really resembling raspberries! Growing 3-4’ tall and equally as wide, ‘Raspberry Wine’ is very mildew resistant. It is cherished by butterflies and hummingbirds but loathed by deer.

Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ is sometimes listed as Monarda didyma ‘Raspberry Wine’. Monarda spp. originate in North America and the parentage of ‘Raspberry Wine’ has M. didyma which prefers average to moist, organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun. However, M. fistulosa, another parent, tolerates some dry periods. For best performance, beebalm needs good air circulation. To prolong the flowering season, deadhead blooms. The plant spreads by rhizome to form clumps.  

A wonderful plant used en masse plantings in perennial gardens, cutting gardens, wildlife gardens, and in a perennial border, Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ brings bright and cheery color to the landscape and seedheads provide winter interest. Mammals avoid browsing Monarda due to its pungent oregano aroma. Monarda spp. support a wide variety of butterflies, moths, long-tongued and short-tongued bees, skippers, and butterflies and are excellent additions to a wildlife garden.