Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): Red Flowers for Pollinators and Tea

Bee Balm: The Crown Jewel of the Pollinator Garden

Bee balm (Monarda didyma), also called bergamot, Oswego tea, or horsemint, is a showy perennial with dense, shaggy heads of tubular red flowers atop square stems. Its fragrant foliage and long bloom time make it a favorite for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It has a rich history as a Native American medicinal and beverage plant.

Botanical Profile

Native to eastern North America, bee balm grows 2–4 feet tall. The leaves are opposite, toothed, and release a minty-oregano scent when crushed (similar to Earl Grey tea bergamot). It spreads by rhizomes to form colonies.

Uses and Cultivation

• Herbal tea: Leaves and flowers make a flavorful, soothing infusion (Oswego tea).
• Cut flowers: Long-lasting, unique form for arrangements.
• Pollinator garden: Essential for hummingbirds and native bees.
• Medicinal: Antiseptic, digestive, cold remedy traditionally.

Grow in full sun to part shade, moist, rich soil. Good air circulation prevents powdery mildew. Divide every 3–4 years. Deadhead for rebloom. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.