Eastern beebalm Interesting Notes

Monarda bradburiana has tubular, two-lipped, pink to light lavender flowers and bloom from spring into summer. A member of the mint family, this native bee balm is very attractive to pollinators and forms lovely clumps without being as aggressive as other Monarda. True to type, Monarda bradburiana has square stems with toothed, gray-green foliage growing up to 2’ tall and up 3’ wide after three years. Its unique globular flowers and resistance to powdery mildew makes beebalm a welcome addition to the garden and for the collector that can never have enough, it blooms a full 1-2 weeks earlier than other members in its genus.

Beebalm occurs naturally in open and dry, rocky woods from Alabama to Texas, north to Iowa in average to dry soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of some drought and dry soils, Monarda bradburiana does best with good air circulation. It is able to spread by rhizome and by seed.

A ready member of an informal cottage garden or in a naturalized setting, beebalm provides a long season of bloom in the garden and even gives winter interest as the seedheads dry. 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 beeflies and are excellent additions to a wildlife garden.

Monarda bradburiana Growing and Maintenance Tips

Prefers average to dry soils in full sun to part shade. Will tolerate some drought and poor soils. Good air circulation is best, though this species shows some mildew resistance. May self seed.

Good Substitutions

Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'

Monarda punctata

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'

Monarda 'Petite Delight'