The Complete Guide to Growing Petite Delight Bee Balm

Petite Delight bee balm (Monarda ‘Petite Delight’) has become a beloved addition to many gardens thanks to its compact size, abundant blooms, and ability to attract pollinators. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to successfully grow this floral powerhouse.

Petite Delight is a dwarf cultivar of Monarda didyma that typically reaches just 12-15 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. It forms a compact, mounded shape with upright stems covered in fragrant, serrated green leaves.

From mid to late summer, it erupts with dense, globular flowers in a lovely lavender-pink shade. The two-lipped blooms have a tubular shape and are surrounded by ruffly bracts. They last for weeks and release a minty aroma.

This compact bee balm thrives in full sun to partial shade and does best in evenly moist, humus-rich soil. Good air circulation is key to prevent issues with powdery mildew disease. It’s hardy in Zones 4-9.

How to Plant Petite Delight Bee Balm

Petite Delight bee balm can be planted in spring or fall, spaced 18-24 inches apart. Here are some tips for getting it off to the best start:

• Prepare soil by mixing in 2-3 inches of compost or other organic material to improve drainage. These plants hate wet feet.

• Water thoroughly after planting and mist leaves until established.

• Plant in full sun to partial shade. Morning sun is ideal to prevent powdery mildew.

• Raised beds, berms, or slopes create the drainage these plants need.

• Bare root plants should be planted in spring or fall when dormant. Potted bee balms can be planted anytime with proper watering.

Caring for Your Petite Delight Bee Balm

Once established, Petite Delight requires minimal care:

• Watering: Water regularly the first year, then mature plants only need watering during drought. Provide 1-2 inches per week.

• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer a couple times per year, avoiding high nitrogen.

• Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Cut back stems after flowering finishes for new growth. Remove dead stems in early spring.

• Dividing: Clumps can be divided every 2-3 years in spring to control spread.

• Winter Care: Cut back in late fall. Mulch roots in very cold winters. Avoid late fertilizing for healthiest dormancy.

• Pests & Diseases: Improve air circulation and avoid wet foliage to prevent powdery mildew. Slugs may chew leaves.

Encouraging Petite Delight to Bloom Its Best

Here are some tips for getting the most prolific floral display from your Petite Delight:

• Site in full sun for at least 6 hours per day. Morning sun is ideal.

• Deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote reblooming.

• Cut back any faded flower stems to encourage new growth.

• Pinch off 1/3 of new shoots in early summer to shape plant.

• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizer that causes leggy growth.

• Water regularly during summer bloom period.

• Divide mature clumps every 2-3 years to rejuvenate.

How to Use Petite Delight Bee Balm in the Garden

Though small, Petite Delight makes a big visual impact. Here are some great ways to utilize it:

• Mass in perennial or mixed borders for waves of color.

• Use in containers or window boxes for pops of pink.

• Plant in groups or swaths as a fragrant groundcover.

• Mix with grasses, daylilies, coneflowers for summer interest.

• Edge walkways, patios, or ponds for a tidy border.

• Attract pollinators to veggie and herb gardens.

• Naturalize in meadows, prairie gardens, or cottage gardens.

• Grow in rock gardens and xeriscapes with sharp drainage.

Why Petite Delight Bee Balm Belongs in Your Garden

Here are just a few of the many reasons to add this petite bee balm to your landscape:

• Long bloom period from midsummer into fall.

• Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

• Deer and rabbit resistant.

• Compact size suits small gardens and containers.

• Tolerates heat, humidity, and short dry spells.

• Provides late season food source for pollinators.

• Minty fragrance smells fantastic.

• Very easy to grow and care for.

• Spreads slowly compared to other bee balms.

Tips for Growing Petite Delight Bee Balm

• Plant in spring or fall, 18-24 inches apart.

• Provide full sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost.

• Water regularly first year and during drought after established.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

• Cut back flower stems after blooming finishes.

• Divide clumps every 2-3 years to keep plant vigorous.

• Avoid wet foliage and improve air circulation to prevent disease.

• Attracts pollinators, deters deer/rabbits, and resists powdery mildew!

Common Questions about Petite Delight Bee Balm

How big do Petite Delight bee balms get?

Petite Delight typically reaches 12-15 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide when mature. It’s specifically bred to be a compact cultivar.

Do bee balm plants come back every year?

Yes, Petite Delight bee balm is a hardy perennial that overwinters well and rebounds vigorously each spring in zones 4-9. Established plants multiply into nice clumps.

Does bee balm prefer sun or shade?

Bee balms thrive in full sun, ideally with some afternoon shade in hot climates. They can grow in light shade but tend to get leggy and floppy.

How do you keep Petite Delight blooming all season?

Deadheading spent blooms encourages plants to keep producing flowers. Cut back stems that have finished flowering to promote new growth.

What are some substitutes for Petite Delight bee balm?

Some good alternatives include ‘Jacob Cline’ bee balm, ‘Pardon My Pink’ monarda, and ‘Sugar Buzz’ dwarf monarda. All are compact, mildew resistant, and flower well.

Conclusion

With its compact form, abundant blooms, and minty fragrance, it’s no wonder Petite Delight bee balm has become a garden favorite. By providing the right growing conditions, deadheading spent flowers, and dividing plants regularly, you’ll enjoy this floral dynamo for years to come. Let its late summer blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden!