Bee balm will grow in almost any soil, but it thrives best in those that are evenly moist. Drying out causes stress, which increases mildew; water well during hot, dry spells. Don’t cut the stems back until spring, as the dead spikes are interesting in winter, especially against a snowscape; the foliage and seed heads retain their pungency even in a desiccated state. Bee balm spreads by underground runners and can be invasive; if it threatens to engulf your garden, just chop off edges of the clumps and transplant them, give them away, or compost them. Allow them to dry out completely before composting. Otherwise they’ll grow and run rampant in the compost heap!
Bee balm is an invaluable plant for the perennial border. Its flowers come in a variety of shades and sit atop spicily scented foliage. Older varieties suffer from powdery mildew, but if plants are grown at the back of the border where the leaves are less obvious, this is not a problem worth concern. The leaves of this member of the mint family make a fine tea. ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ is shown here.
ZONES: 4–8
BLOOM TIME: Mid- to late summer
LIGHT: Full sun to part shade
HEIGHT: 30–42 inches
INTEREST: Unique blooms in a range of colors; spicily fragrant foliage; attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds
Plant bee balm at the back of the perennial border or toward the center of an island bed. It also looks great in a wild garden or in a meadow where the free-spreading plants can romp gleefully. Since hummingbirds love the flowers, plant bee balm near your kitchen window so you can enjoy these flashing rainbows of color up close.