Saturday, October 10, 2020

What’s Coming Up In The Garden, 59: basil bee balm

 This really lovely bee balm is one of the new native species I’ve planted in the new pollinator bed. One of the plants had a few spent blooms left over from earlier in the summer and bees have already found it and foraged it, which means it should be a big hit next year.


More info:

Scientific Name:

Monarda clinopodia

Genus:

Monarda

Species Epithet:

clinopodia

Common Name:

Basil Bergamot, White Bergamot, Basil Beebalm

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

3-6 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

May, June, July, August, September

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont

Habitat Description:

Mesic, forested slopes (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Mountains, rare in Piedmont.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

Plant

image


No comments: