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Bee Balm Monarda bradburiana

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mo-NAR-da brad-bur-ee-AH-nuh
Description

Eastern beebalm is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to the southern and central US. It tolerates full sun to part shade and medium to dry, even rocky soils. It needs good air circulation and naturalizes well by self-seeding. The leaves are scented and the plant is generally resistant to damage by deer. This plant blooms before most monardas in April to May and the showy flowers attract bees.

Plant this in the native pollinator garden near the front of the border in average, well-drained soil. Its best flowering is in full sun.

 Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew can be a significant problem with the monardas, particularly in crowded gardens with poor air circulation. This species has some mildew resistance, however. Rust can also be a problem.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pollinator Garden in Full Sun
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#native perennials#spring flowers#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant early spring#herb garden#tea
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#pink flowers#native perennials#spring flowers#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant early spring#herb garden#tea
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Monarda
    Species:
    bradburiana
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Central & East U.S.A
    Distribution:
    Central and southern US
    Wildlife Value:
    Resistant to deer. Flowers attract bees.
    Edibility:
    Leaves may be used in teas
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Ovoid nutlets in summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Tubular, two-lipped, pinkish to whitish, purple-spotted flowers appear in dense, globular, solitary, terminal heads atop square stems. Each flower head is subtended by (rests upon) a whorl of showy, purplish-tinged, leafy bracts. Blooms earlier than most monardas in April to May
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Toothed, aromatic, oblong, greyish-green leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Square green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer