When To Plant Bee Balm Seeds In Zone 6

When to plant bee balm seeds in zone 6

Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. Either time of year works well; however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, it's best to trim back the foliage to encourage the plant to focus its energy towards the roots.

How long does it take bee balm to flower from seed?

Plant Type:	Herbaceous perennial	Flower / Foliage Color:
Exposure:	Full sun to partial shade	Soil pH:
Time to Maturity:	110-120 days	Soil Drainage:
Spacing:	18-24 inches	Attracts:
Planting Depth:	1/8 inch (seeds)	Companion Planting:

Is bee balm a perennial in Zone 6?

Bee Balm (Monarda) is a perennial plant in the mint family. Also referred to as Oswego tea, horsemint, and bergamot, it grows well in zones 3-9.

Is bee balm easy to grow from seed?

Despite the fact that Bee Balm grows from rhizomes, it's not hard at all to start from seed! Aim to start your Bee Balm inside at least 8 weeks before your estimated final frost date of the year to get a head start on growth. To grow Bee Balm from seed, start by taking a container of soil, and moistening it.

Can bee balm seeds be planted in fall?

Plant bee balm in spring or fall, once all chances of frost have passed. Space bee balm plants 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7.

Will bee balm seed flower the first year?

Keep in mind that Bee Balm started from seed will not bloom the first year. So you should not worry if you do not see any blossoms. Avoid harvesting your Bee Balm so that it can become well established, and you should see plenty of bright, colorful blooms the second season.

What is the best way to grow bee balm from seed?

To plant: Although bee balm should be planted in rich soil in a sunny area, it can tolerate some shade, especially during the heat of the summer. As soon as the danger of frost has passed, plant seeds 1/8 inch deep and 12 inches apart if planting in the garden. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds sprout.

Should bee balm be cut back in the fall?

In the fall or winter, you should prune bee balm after it has died back. Take it back down to just above the soil's surface. This allows you to clean up the dead plant material, prevent powdery mildew, and perennial varieties will begin to show signs of new growth in the late winter or early spring again.

Will bee balm rebloom if you cut it back?

"Cut it back hard and it will come back strong," Pollak says. Bee balm or bergamot (Monarda), another member of the indomitable mint family, also responds to deadheading. If you cut back perennial salvias such as 'May Night' (Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht') after their first May bloom, they will likely rebloom in July.

Does bee balm take sun or shade?

Bee balms perform best in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. The planting site should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Plants won't flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew when grown in partial shade.

Does bee balm spread easily?

Bee balm (Monarda spp.) is a flowering plant in the mint family. Native to North America, common names for the plant are Oswego tea and bergamot. Bee balm can be invasive to garden areas as it easily multiples and spreads. A way to limit the spread is to plant bee balm in a container.

What is a companion plant 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.

Can you winter sow bee balm?

Winter Sowing. Sow cold-hardy perennials or annuals. For me in zone 6, sowing time is February and early March. Examples: Brussels sprouts, Monarda (bee balm), pansies.

Can you direct seed bee balm?

Bee balm is a perennial flowering herb in the mint family, growing well in zones 3-9. It's tall stalks and colorful flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Bee balm spreads easily on its own. Oftentimes, gardeners choose to divide and transplant it, but bee balm can also be grown from seeds.

Does bee balm seeds need cold stratification?

Starting bee balm from seed requires some patience, but the rewards are well worth the effort. To do this, follow these simple instructions. To get the seeds to germinate, they must go through cold stratification.

How long are bee balm seeds viable?

Once completely dry, Bee Balm seeds can be stored for several years in a zip-lock bag or paper envelope. Store Bee Balm seeds in a cool dry place and never in a musty basement or in sunlight.

Is bee balm invasive?

If you're asking whether bee balm can be aggressive, then the answer is yes – especially in its ideal growing environment with moist soil in a full sun to part shade location. However, it is not technically deemed invasive everywhere.

Do deer like bee balm?

Bee balm repels deer with its minty scent, but pollinators can't get enough. Bee Balm blooms in violet blue, red, pink or white from July through August and grows relatively tall, 2-3 feet.

Do hummingbirds like bee balm?

Bee Balm (Monarda) As its name suggests, this perennial plant attracts bees, but it's also a hummingbird magnet.

Should I deadhead my bee balm?

When you deadhead the plant, the nutrients, energy, and strength used to make new seeds generates into making more flowers instead. Deadheading is the term used for removal of wilted or dead flowers from a plant. If your goal is to encourage more blooming with bee balm, then yes, you will want to deadhead it.

10 When to plant bee balm seeds in zone 6 Images