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Size Guide

3.5
3.5" Perennial
3 or more $6.00 ea
Regularly: $6.99 ea

Bee Balm 'Balmy™' Series

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$6.99
Title

Inject a burst of electric, high-octane energy into your garden with this compact floral firecracker. Monarda didyma 'Balmy™' erupts in a spectacular display of oversized, shaggy, neon-colored pom-pom blossoms that sit proudly atop dense mounds of lush foliage. Each unique, tubular flower looks like a miniature crown, creating a striking, architectural look that instantly commands attention and breathes vibrant life into smaller garden spaces.

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

10" - 12" H x 10" - 12" W

Zone:

4-9

Watering:

Medium to High

Type:

Herbaceous Perennial

Growth Rate:

Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Bee Balm, Bergamot, Oswego Tea, and Horsemint

Scientific Name:

Monarda didyma 'Balmy™' Series

Type:

Dwarf Perennial / Pollinator Magnet / Aromatic Accent

Growth Details:

Mature Size: 10" - 12" H x 10" - 12" W

Growth Habit: Compact, mounded, and upright.

Form: Dense, bushy, uniform dwarf mounds.

Growth Rate: Fast.

Flowering Time: Late spring through mid-summer (typically June to August).

Flower Colour: Available in intense, saturated shades of rose, purple, lilac, and deep red.

Environmental Needs:

Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Preferences: Thrives in rich, humus-dense, moisture-retentive soils.

Soil Tolerance: Tolerates clay and poorly drained soils much better than most other perennials.

Watering: Requires regular, even watering to keep the soil consistently damp, especially during peak summer heat.

Container Role: Thanks to its dwarf genetics, it functions as a spectacular, bushy Filler in mixed patio planters.

Special Features:

Mildew Resistance: Specially bred for superior, top-tier resistance to powdery mildew compared to older, taller varieties.

Deer & Rabbit Resistance: The strong, minty scent of the foliage acts as a natural, highly effective deterrent against deer and rabbits.

Attracts: An absolute magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, bumblebees, and essential native pollinators.

Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

Bloom Information: Exceptionally showy, 2" to 3" wide crowning clusters of tubular flowers that stay colourful for weeks.

Fall Colour: Foliage turns a muted bronze-green before dying back to the ground after a hard frost.

Garden Value:

Ornamental Interest: Features aromatic, mint-scented foliage that releases a pleasant fragrance when brushed against, topped by vibrant, architectural blooms.

Landscaping Uses: Ideal for small-space gardens, front-of-the-border massing, urban courtyard spaces, walkway edgings, and dedicated pollinator habitats.

Wildlife & Human Value:

Wildlife Value: Provides an exceptional, high-volume nectar source for local hummingbirds and threatened native bees.

Human Value: The fragrant leaves can be used to make herbal tea, and the plant provides striking, unique cut flowers for small indoor arrangements.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

Best Time To Plant: Plant in early spring or early autumn to ensure the root system establishes in cool weather.

Spacing: Space individual plants 12" apart to accommodate their mature spread while maintaining good air flow.

Location Tips: Place in a spot with good air circulation to keep the foliage dry, and ensure the soil does not dry out completely.

Companion Plants: Pairs beautifully with compact yellow Coreopsis, dwarf Echinacea, and blue Veronica for a rich, contrast-filled display.

Care:

Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; requires a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight for the best flower production.

Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist, organic soil; do not let the roots dry out completely.

Maintenance: Deadhead the first flush of spent flowers down to the next leaf node to encourage a secondary wave of late-summer blooms.

Fertilization: Feed with a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer or apply a fresh layer of compost in early spring.

Tolerances:

Tolerates wet soil, heavy clay, deer, rabbits, and black walnut tree toxicity (juglone).

Tips For Success:

Division: Divide the plant every 2 to 3 years in early spring to keep the clumps vigorous and tidy.

Mulching: Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to lock in crucial soil moisture during dry summer spells.

Airflow: Avoid crowding it too closely against walls or taller plants to keep the foliage clean and spot-free.

Fruit Profile