11 hours Ago By Parul Sharma
Planting perennials is an easy and low-maintenance way in which gardeners can add colour and fragrant blooms to their gardens all year round. Perfect for planting on garden borders, perennial plants are a great investment without requiring too much effort and care. Besides enhancing the beauty and structure of a garden space, perennials are also extremely beneficial for pollinators and insects.
One such fast-growing, easy-to-care-for perennial plant that is sure to spread easily and bloom across gardens is the Bee Balm. Also known as wild bergamot or by its scientific botanical name Monarda, Bee Balm is a great plant for any discerning garden enthusiast. Famous for its striking flowers and aromatic foliage, it's no surprise that this plant is a favourite among gardeners across the UK.
This sunlight-loving perennial thrives in well-drained soil and is ideally suited for borders, cottage gardens, or as a bold focal point in containers. Its clump-forming ability makes it the perfect companion for plant varieties like Peonies, Cosmos, and Phlox. Gardeners' World says of the "easy to grow and care for" plant: "Its vibrant summer flowers and medicinal properties make it a valuable plant for humans and wildlife.
" The Monarda’s flowers have the ability to enhance any garden landscape as they display a rich spectrum of colours, from pastel pinks and vivid reds to tranquil purples and serene whites. Due to its tubular flowers, Bee Balm is a magnet for hummingbirds, and beneficial insects like butterflies and bees, as each of the flower's tubes are filled with nectar. This also lends to the wild bergamot's signature spiky appearance.
Jacob Cline, one of the most sought-after Monarda varieties, is known for its bold scarlet-red blooms, which offer a stunning contrast to its deep green foliage. Pardon My Pink is another well-loved variety which gives soft pink blooms. Bee Balm is a low-maintenance plant that's incredibly easy to cultivate.
With its high resistance to diseases and pests, it's the perfect perennial for your backyard, especially if you're seeking a plant that requires little fuss or care. The robust Monarda flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, injecting a vibrant splash of colour when other plants in your garden may be starting to wilt. As part of the mint family, Bee Balm will naturally spread throughout your garden.
Although it flourishes in damp conditions, this perennial can succumb to powdery mildew, so choosing a resistant variety is highly advisable. In order to keep the Monarda thriving, divide the patch every few years in early spring and place it in an area with maximum sun exposure. Besides its visual appeal, the Bee Balm also emits a fragrant scent that can enhance the ambience of any garden.
Its leaves release a refreshing aroma when touched, adding another sensory element to its already-existing beauty..
