Light
Full sun for the best bloom and fewer mildew problems.
Growing guide · Perennials
Monarda hybrid
How to grow Bee Balm 'Leading Lady Amethyst'.
Knee-high bee balm. Hummingbirds still find it.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 4–9
- Size
- 10–14 in. tall, 18–22 in. wide
- Spacing
- 18 in. apart.
- Pets
- Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Water
Keep evenly moist; drought stress invites mildew.
Planting and soil
Plant spring or early fall, crown at soil level.
Feeding
Light compost in spring.
Pruning
Deadhead to extend bloom. Cut back to the base in late fall or spring.
Through the year
Up in spring. Blooms June into July. Divide every 3 years as the center thins.
If something's off
Powdery mildew in late summer, especially in crowded, dry spots. Spreads slowly by runners.
Plays well with
Plant it with friends.
Why we stock it: The bee balm show and pollinator traffic in a size that fits the front of a bed or a pot.
About 10 native butterfly and moth species use Monarda as a host (Narango et al. 2020). 3 eastern pollen-specialist bee species use Monarda (Fowler & Droege 2020). Hummingbirds work the flowers.
That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.
Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.
Kits with Bee Balm 'Leading Lady Amethyst'.
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Bee Balm 'Leading Lady Amethyst'from $39.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
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