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What is the plant bee balm used for?
Today, bee balm is still used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. As a member of the mint family, when bee balm is used in teas, it can help with digestive issues, bloating, sore throats, and nausea. Bee balm is a natural antiseptic and applied topically, can help with bee stings, rashes, and minor wounds.
Is bee balm a good plant?
Bee balm is a great addition to a pollinator garden. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and the seed heads will attract birds in the fall and winter. Learn more about plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Is bee balm plant poisonous?
Bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family. Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.
Does bee balm come back every year?
Bee balm is a hardy perennial plant that requires little care. Whether planted in a garden area or in a container, it will return each season and will have likely spread. A few easy steps will prepare the plant for the cold weather. Cut the plant to the ground in mid-autumn.
How do you use bee balm herb?
Fresh bee balm leaves can be added to pesto, and the flower petals make a pretty and aromatic garnish. They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one.
Can bee balm grow in pots?
Blooming for up to 6 weeks from mid summer to fall, this tall flowering plant is a beautiful centerpiece to a garden, patio, sunroom, balcony or porch area. When placed in an area that gets full sun, bee balm can successfully be grown in a container by itself, or as a centerpiece in a larger tub arrangement.
Does bee balm like wet soil?
Bee balm will tolerate drought, but does best if you keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Water when the top one to two inches of soil has dried out. For varieties that thrive in wet soil, make sure to keep the plant constantly moist.
Where should bee balm be planted?
When & Where to Plant Bee Balm Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time. Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens.
Does bee balm like sun or shade?
Bee balm tolerates partial sun, but you’ll get fewer flowers. Space monarda plants 18 to 24 inches apart in organically rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7 that drains easily. Bee balm needs good air circulation to help prevent powdery mildew, a common fungal disease.
Can bee balm be used as tea?
Bee balm tea can be made from both fresh and dried leaves. I find the flavor of tea made from Monarda didyma to be rather strong. To make tea, start with about 1-teaspoon of crushed, dried bee balm leaves per 8-ounce cup of boiling water. Steep for at least 5 minutes and drink like regular tea.
What can I plant next to bee balm?
Companion Planting and Design Bee balm is a perfect cottage garden plant. I like to let it ramble though a perennial flower border next to tall garden phlox, rudbeckia, roses, and peonies.
What animals eat bee balm?
But birds don’t only enjoy Bee Balm in summer. The nutlet attracts finches, sparrows, juncos, redpolls, among other species.
Does bee balm attract wasps?
Wild bergamot is one of several plants also known by the common name of bee balm. Wild bergamot attracts a number of specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.
How do you keep bee balm from falling over?
Use clean, sharp scissors or shears to cut them back by about 3 to 6 inches when the flower buds are just beginning to form during the spring. It makes taller, more top-heavy bee balms easier to manage and less likely to fall over due to excessive bulk.
How long does bee balm take to flower?
110-120 days Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Red, pink, light to dark purple Bloom Time / Season: Summer Average Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 6.0-7.0 Time to Maturity: 110-120 days Well-draining Spacing: 18-24 inches Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.
Is bee balm the same as lemon balm?
BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests. The pretty generic name, Melissa, meaning “bee” in Greek, belongs to lemon balm.
What is bee balm tea good for?
Hot bee balm infused tea has been used to relieve upper respiratory ailments like colds and flu. It’s often used to sooth indigestion, nausea, and menstrual cramps. It has purported anti-septic and anti-microbial properties because it contains a high proportion of thymol, and is used to treat stings, bites, and wounds.
How fast does bee balm spread?
Bee balms spread rapidly via underground stems or stolons. In addition, the centers of the clumps often die out within a few years. To control their spread and rejuvenate the plants, it’s usually necessary to dig and divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years. Early spring is the best time to dig and divide bee balms.
