Upscale™ 'Red Velvet' Bee Balm (Monarda)
Perennial
- Thrives in both moist and average soils.
- Tallest Monarda we carry!
- Great for mass or border plantings.
- Deters deer, attracts pollinators.
- Zones 4-8, sun/part sun, 32” tall x 36” wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
As a North American native, bee balm is a durable perennial that multiplies well in moist soil and full sun. While they typically bloom in the summer heat, their sturdy stems will keep the flowers upright and shining. Their fragrant, colorful blooms attract all sorts of pollinators to the garden, but mint-like foliage deters deer and other pests. The Upscale™ series from Proven Winners is taller than other bee balms, making them best suited for a tall border, the middle of beds, or mass plantings.
Details
Patent #: PPAF
Common name: Bee balm, horsemint
Zone: 4 - 8
Sun exposure: Sun, Part sun
Height x width: 32" tall X 36" wide
Flower color: Red
Foliage color: Green
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Wet soils, space savers, rain gardens, rabbit & deer resistant, Proven Winners, native, heat tolerant, fragrant, cold tolerant
Uses: Accent, container gardening, edging, erosion control or embankment, ground cover, massing, rain garden, rock garden, under planting, waterside
How to Grow
Light: Full sun to partial sun
Water: Average to abundant, depending on weather. Established plants can tolerate dry conditions.
Spacing: Space at least 24-28" from other plants; good air circulation encourages healthy, vigorous growth.
Fertilizing: Little needed. If desired, apply a granular garden fertilizer in early spring, just as the soil begins to thaw.
Winterizing: No special care needed. Any old stems that persist after winter can be cut back in spring.
Maintenance & pruning: Remove spent blooms for better performance and looks. While not imperative, it results in a neater, showier plant.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.