PlantFiles: Oswego Tea, Bee Balm, Beebalm, Bergamot, Firecracker Plant
Monarda didyma

Bought a small plant, about 1 foot high, in May or June. By July it was 4 feet tall and covered with long-lasting, big red flowers! The supermarket where I bought mine was marketing it as a "very easy perennial", and it definitely is very easy in my garden!

Despite having purchased numerous specimens of this plant and placing in different areas of the garden I find they all eventually become plagued with powdery mildew. They do spread well for me in Zone 4/5, and flower profusely the first year when small 3" pot plants are purchased in the spring.

Monarda - Bergamot, Horsemint
This is a genus of 15 species of perennials or annuals from North America with green, sometimes purple-tinged, veined, aromatic leaves. They are much loved by bees and are used for flavoring teas and in poppourris, as well as for their ornamental value, flower color and scent. Plants can be single stemmed or sparsely branching, and bear 2-lipped, tubular flowers from mid-summer to early fall.
Cultivation: They are very frost-hardy plants best planted in full sun although some shade is acceptable. They must be well-drained; in fact the annual species do best on sandy soil. The perennials are happy in moist soil and in some climates like a good feed of manure or compost. Annuals are sown directly into their permanent spot, and perennials are usually grown by division of established clumps.
Monarda didyma - Bee Balm, Oswego Tea
This herb was used by the American Indians and early colonists as a tea. With its spidery white, pink or red flowers borne in late summer, it is one of the showiest of the culinary herbs. The young leaves may be used in salads or as a soothing tea; they can also be used as a stuffing for roast meat. The species grows 3' or more tall. 'Aquarius' has deep, purple-lilac flowers with purplish green bracts. 'Cambridge Scarlet' is a vigorous perennial to 3' with dark green, slightly toothed leaves that when crushed or brushed against emit an exotic, citrus-like scent. 'Croftway Pink' grows to 30" tall and has rose-pink flowers from mid-summer to early fall.
Zones 4-10.

I am not sure what our zone in King Salmon, Naknek, Alaska, is, but I am searching for anyone who has had success growing bergamot or bee balm. I love bergamot in tea.

In addition to being a beautiful plant, it is puported to have medicinal uses. In the 19th century an infusion was made from the leaves and used to treat everything from coughs to infertility.

So far I like this plant. Had to move it to full sun though because in Zone 5 it wasn't doing well in part shade. Looks much better now. Beautiful color.

I managed to kill this plant. I have NO idea now. I planted it in an area where mint grew happily, and figured Monarda would like similar conditions.

We purchased a farm in Maine and to my delight we have beebalm. Just wanted to let those in zone 4 know that my plants are doing well. Colors purple, pink, red and bright red.

I have bright lavender ones but don't know its name. I have given some bunches away; you can just grab them by the bottom and pull them up! I love mine and got some red today.

I've just discovered a wonderfully HUGE stand of wild Monarda Didyma in the field beside my house. I've had so much fun identifying the wild flowers in that field this year. (This is our first year living in this house) I could see that the bumblebees and butterflies loved them.

Mine might be considered invasive, but since I love them, I just pot up volunteers, move them to other areas, and give them away. Most people seem to be happy to receive any free plants, and I keep a three tier plant shelf full of anything that I have too much of and when people come over, tell them to help themselves to what they want. Bee balm is always popular.

Bee Balm is one of my favorite perennials. I find it does best in sun, or partial sun, however this plant does prefer cosistent soil moisture. It grows about 30-36" tall, and you should space it atleast 18-24" apart. Its striking flowers that bloom in the summer attract butterflies, and even hummingbirds. You should also divide every 2-3 years to control spread.

"Blue Stocking" is supposedly mildew resistant, but mine had mildew even worse than the "Cambridge Scarlet." And once it's mildewed, the whole plant looks bad. Needs to have something shorter planted in front to hide its bare legs. Cutting back the flowers as soon as they're spent prevents self seeding, gets rid of the ugly leaves, and encourages the plant to put out new flowers. It does really spread, but the roots are shallow, so the volunteers are easily dug up and moved. Different cultivars are different heights, so check to make sure you're getting one that fits your garden.

(My garden's in the Mid-Atlantic). Cultivars with blossom colors from light pink to purple to fuschia to red. Blossoms stand above fuzzy, greysih/green foliage. Grows about 2 to 4 feet tall. Very easy to grow. Prefers richer, hummusy, somewhat acidic soils, but is tolerant of a variety of soils and conditions. Sun to part to light shade, but avoid scorching sun. Its least favorite thing is probably drought. It can sometimes get mildew in very humid weather, but don't be deterred from growing it for that reason, mildew warnings are greatly exaggerated. My plants have never had mildew. Slightly invasive, don't plant next to the shyest perennials. No bugs or pest problems or diseases. Supposed to have a "Bergamot" smell and flavor, but in the hybrids I've noticed very little. Bees, butterflies, AND hummingbirds LOVE it! Great garden plant!

Bee balm is one of favorites and a staple in my northern garden. It you're interetsted in attracting wildlife it's a must! When in full bloom the plants just hum with activity. I could sit and watch it for hours.

The foliage is extremely fragrant, and the plants become covered with their shaggy, tubular flowers in mid to late summer. Bee balm is a spreader and will make a clump 4 feet wide. Plants tend to die out from the center so it's best to divide it every few years to keep it vigorous. There are many cultivars available at the garden centers, and it comes in a wide range of colors. Choose one that claims to be mildew resistant and you shouldn't have any problems. It likes sun and adequate moisture but it doesn't seem to be too fussy about the conditions.