Monarda (Bee Balm)
Color Name: Berry Taffy
Berry Taffy has a medium-sized habit and excellent branching. In mid summer hot raspberry pink flowers explode with color over deep green, attractive foliage. Berry Taffy forms a solid dome of color with 2-3 inch flowers. The dark green foliage forms an upright clump that will fill out containers nicely but won't run all over the garden. Berry Taffy displays an above average resistance to powdery mildew.
Monarda is native to eastern North America, so it is easy to grow and it multiplies quickly. The flowers' sweet nectar attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed and is often used to flavor teas.
Growing Tips: Monarda can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade, however.
Most monardas multiply rapidly either by underground stems or self-sowing. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time.
Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with monarda. Some varieties are more resistant to it than others. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.
Photo courtesy of Walters Garden, Inc.
Berry Taffy has a medium-sized habit and excellent branching. In mid summer hot raspberry pink flowers explode with color over deep green, attractive foliage. Berry Taffy forms a solid dome of color with 2-3 inch flowers. The dark green foliage forms an upright clump that will fill out containers nicely but won't run all over the garden. Berry Taffy displays an above average resistance to powdery mildew.
Monarda is native to eastern North America, so it is easy to grow and it multiplies quickly. The flowers' sweet nectar attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed and is often used to flavor teas.
Growing Tips: Monarda can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade, however.
Most monardas multiply rapidly either by underground stems or self-sowing. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time.
Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with monarda. Some varieties are more resistant to it than others. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.
Photo courtesy of Walters Garden, Inc.
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Flower Color: Pink shades Foliage Color: Green shades
Height: 12 to 18 Inches Spread: 16 to 26 Inches Hardy in Zone: 4, 5, 6 |
Blooms: Late Summer Mid-Summer
Foliage Season: All Season |
Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Soil Moisture Needs
Moderate
Moist
Attributes |
 Fragrant  Native Mass Planting Landscapes Easy to Grow Cut Flower or Foilage Border
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Attracts
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Critter Resistance
Deer
