June 25, 2011
Saturday Stuff – First Bee Balm
Posted by Morning Bray under Plants and Flowers, Saturday Parts & Stuff | Tags: bee balm |[28] Comments
[28] Comments
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- June 25, 2011 at 8:01 am
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June 25, 2011 at 8:03 am
Beautiful. I wonder where it got it’s name. It can’t be because it was balm for bees.
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June 25, 2011 at 8:46 am
CeeCee,
You know, I looked this morning to see if I could find why. Other than the fact that bees love it, I didn’t find anything. I’m all ears if anyone does. 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 9:02 am
I have a huge beebalm that I planted last year, I’m awaiting the flowers. They should be opening soon!
Beebalm is a source of Bergamot, the flavoring for Earl Grey tea. During the time of the Boston Tea Party when there was no black tea, beebalm leaves were used for tea. The wild version, Monarda Fistulosa, is also known as horsemint. One of the uses the Blackfoot Indians had was to use boiled leaves as a poultice, applied directly to pimples to bring them out. It’s not too much of a stretch to go from there to using it as a poultice on bee stings, perhaps that’s where the name comes from.
Also, if you have trouble with deer in your garden, beebalm is deer-resistant.
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June 25, 2011 at 9:27 am
Well, rock on, Shirley! 🙂 Thanks! 😀
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June 25, 2011 at 9:19 am
My poor bee balm is getting very crowded by . . . whatever those shrubs are . . . spirea, maybe? I need to move it. Remind me next spring, please.
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June 25, 2011 at 9:28 am
June,
I’m surprised it’s not the other way around… our bee balm crowds everything else out.
Regardless, you got it… I’ll remind you next spring. 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 9:47 am
I love bee balm! When we had our garage built they killed the bee balm and I have replanted . . . right now it is just tiny little stems 😦 I hope it grows and blossoms again. Mine is a magenta red. Love, love, love to plant flowers, Thanks for sharing your pic and reminding me of what I am hoping to see 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 10:03 am
Tricia,
Knowing bee balm, you’ll have beautiful blossoms in no time. The magenta red is my favorite (ours is more fuschia)… I’m on the lookout for the red. 🙂
Miss you and love you… I owe you a reply on Facebook. 🙂 xoxoxo
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June 25, 2011 at 10:35 am
An awesome flower! It should be crowded with bees and butterflies.
I know it as Pferdeminze or Goldmelisse.Very very nice!
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June 25, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Pia,
It will be crowded with bees and butterflies for sure. I love “Goldmelisse.” I will remember that… thank you. 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Very nice. You don’t need any help with closeups. 🙂 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Vicki,
Thank you. You’ve given me the chutzpah to do it. 🙂 🙂 xoxoxo
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June 26, 2011 at 7:19 am
Well, a few hints, maybe. 🙂
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June 26, 2011 at 7:20 am
Which were very much appreciated. 🙂
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June 25, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Gorgeous flower, Justina!
I did not see this flower before.
Have a good Sunday.
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June 25, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Sonia,
I think this plant would love your beautiful garden. 🙂 You have a good Sunday too. Hugs (as always) to you and Flora.
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June 25, 2011 at 7:54 pm
How exotic! thanks for sharing as always….
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June 25, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Jane,
You’re so very welcome. 🙂
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June 26, 2011 at 7:35 am
That’s a beautiful flower. I will have to check whether it will grow in our climate. I’m keeping a mental list of plants that are deer resistant in hopes of planting more color. Of course they also have to be wild bunny resistant, chicken resistant….I’m thinking we’ll also need a fence:-)
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June 26, 2011 at 8:01 am
Denise,
From the BHG Plant Encyclopedia:
Bee balm is a wonderful plant for attracting butterflies and helpful bees. This prairie native has fascinating-shape flowers in jewel tones of red, pink, purple, and white, surrounded by dark bracts. They grow atop substantial clumps of dark foliage.
The aromatic foliage is sometimes used for making tea, and bee balm is often grown in herb gardens. Established plants tend to spread, especially in damp soil. This plant is extremely prone to mildew problems, so be sure to plant in full sun and seek out cultivars touted as resistant to mildew diseases.
Light: Sun,Part Sun
Zones: 3-9
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Height: 1-4 feet tall
Plant Width: To 2 feet wide
Bloom Time: Blooms mid- to late summer and into fall, depending on variety
Landscape Uses: Containers,Beds & Borders
Special Features: Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Fragrant,Cut Flowers,Attracts Hummingbirds,Attracts Butterflies,Drought Tolerant,Tolerates Wet Soil,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow
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June 26, 2011 at 11:26 am
Thank you, Justina. You are very helpful:-) Looks like it would do well here.
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June 26, 2011 at 11:53 am
You’re welcome. 🙂 You’ll love it… not only is it very pretty, it smells very good too. 🙂
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June 27, 2011 at 2:28 am
What a gorgeous bloom! I’ve heard of bee balm, but never actually knew what it looked like (of course now I want to know if it will grow here *laugh).
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June 27, 2011 at 6:37 am
Jen,
It’ll grow in Alabama. 🙂
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June 27, 2011 at 7:42 am
Gorgeous and I didn’t realize how beautiful and unique looking flower it is! Wish that I am there to see and smell it!
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June 27, 2011 at 9:51 pm
MeMaw,
We wish you were too. xoxo
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June 27, 2011 at 9:24 am
That’s a weirdly wonderful flower. Does it smell sweet?
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June 27, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Carolynn,
The flower itself doesn’t smell so much… the plant more so. Bee balm smells wonderfully minty. 🙂
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