Bee balm, also known as Monarda (Monarda spp.), is a well-known flower and herb throughout North America.
Its colorful blooms are like a slow-motion, multi-month fireworks display that captures the attention of people, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds each summer.
A member of the mint or Lamiaceae family, bee balm is also quite easy to grow – almost too easy, in fact.
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All members of the Monarda genus have a tendency to run amok through the garden with their spreading root systems, creating new plants that pop up all over – especially if you have rich, moist soil.
In this article, we’ll explore some options to deal with its potential aggressiveness, including rhizome barriers, isolated placement, ongoing divisions, cutting, pulling, and regular smothering.
First, let’s take a look at how invasive bee balm actually is before we explore the best methods of control available to you.
Is Bee Balm Invasive? What You Need To Know Before Planting This Popular Flower
Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is a beautiful and popular flower known for its brightly colored blooms that attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. However, some gardeners are hesitant to grow bee balm because of concerns that it may become invasive. So is bee balm invasive? Let’s take a closer look.
The short answer is that bee balm can be invasive under the right conditions. Its ability to spread depends on the particular species and variety, as well as environmental factors like soil, sunlight, and moisture. With some planning and maintenance, bee balm can be grown successfully without turning invasive.
Understanding Bee Balm Growth Habits
Bee balm is a perennial plant in the mint family. It spreads primarily through rhizomes – underground stems that grow horizontally and send up new shoots. In ideal growing conditions, these rhizomes allow bee balm to spread relatively quickly. Within a couple seasons, it can expand from a small clump to a large patch.
While spreading plants are great for covering ground quickly they can also invade areas where they’re not wanted. Bee balm’s aggressive growth habit is what gives it the potential to become invasive.
Not All Bee Balm is Equally Invasive
It’s important to note that not all bee balm species and varieties have the same invasive tendencies. Wild bee balm species native to North America like Monarda fistulosa are more likely to spread rampantly. Meanwhile, some cultivated hybrids and varieties bred for the garden have less aggressive growth.
When choosing bee balm for your garden, opt for well-behaved varieties over species prone to invasiveness. Good options include the Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ and Monarda ‘Petite Delight’ cultivars, which are compact, slow to spread, and less aggressive.
Ideal Conditions Encourage Invasive Spread
Bee balm’s tendency to spread invasively depends largely on growing conditions. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil and ample sunlight. These ideal conditions provide the energy for bee balm to grow more vigorously and expand.
On the other hand, bee balm grown in average or poor conditions is less likely to spread out of control. For example, sandy, dry soil and shade will restrict its growth.
If you have very fertile garden beds and want to grow bee balm, expect rapid spreading and plan for extra maintenance and control measures. Or grow it in more marginal areas of your landscape.
Tips for Preventing Invasive Bee Balm
While bee balm can certainly be invasive, there are various ways to prevent its aggressive spreading and keep it in check. Here are some tips:
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Use physical barriers – Install plastic or metal rhizome barriers around bee balm plants to contain roots and runners underground.
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Grow in containers – Restrict root growth by planting bee balm in pots above ground or set into the soil.
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Divide frequently – Thin out clumps by digging up and dividing bee balm every 2-3 years. Discard excess divisions.
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Cut back runners – Regularly prune new shoots around the edges of clumps to slow expansion.
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Pull out seedlings – Weed out unwanted self-sown seedlings as soon as they appear.
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Mulch around plants – Spread mulch around bee balm to block light from reaching emerging shoots.
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Deadhead flowers – Remove spent blooms to prevent reseeding.
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Check for invasiveness – Research your variety before planting to avoid aggressive ones.
With preventative maintenance and smart planting practices, it’s certainly possible to reap the benefits of bee balm flowers without invasive takeovers. But you’ll have the best success by picking the right spot, frequent monitoring, and being prepared to manage its exuberance.
The Benefits of Non-Invasive Bee Balm
Despite its potential for invasiveness, bee balm offers many positives to outweigh the extra maintenance it requires. Here are some of its best attributes:
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Attracts pollinators – Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to bee balm’s nectar-rich flowers.
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Beautiful blooms – Flower colors like red, pink, purple, and white add long-lasting color to gardens.
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Herbal uses – Bee balm has a minty aroma and historically has been used for tea and herbal remedies.
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Deer-resistant – Deer rarely bother bee balm, unlike many other garden plants.
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Tolerates heat – Bee balm thrives even in hot and humid summer weather.
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Medicinal properties – The plant has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
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Easy care – Aside from control measures, bee balm is low-maintenance and trouble-free.
For gardeners who love vibrant, long-blooming flowers that attract wildlife, bee balm can be a rewarding addition despite its spreading tendencies. As long as you choose non-aggressive varieties and keep it in check, it’s a great plant for borders, cutting gardens, containers, and pollinator habitats.
The bottom line is that bee balm can certainly be invasive if left unchecked. But with smart selection and attentive maintenance, the benefits of its flowers, fragrance, and hardiness far outweigh the extra effort. Give bee balm a spot in your garden, and you’ll reap the rewards for years to come.
Plan Isolated Placements
Isolating your aggressive species in one area is a good option if you have the space. Simply place them in an area isolated away from any plants that can’t hold their own against bee balm.
Anything shorter may get choked out by them, and plants with particularly shallow roots such as roses may also suffer from having to compete with them for nutrients and moisture, even if they’re taller.
I like to create beds completely separate from my main gardens and grow bee balm only with other types of aggressively spreading plants, such as other species in the mint family.
Some ideas for how to isolate these aggressive plant beds are to place them within an area that is consistently mowed such as your lawn, in a raised bed between your house and driveway, or in the space within a circular driveway.
Grow in Containers
Another way of isolating bee balm is to grow it in containers, either dug into the ground or kept aboveground.
If you live in an area with cold winters, note that growing in containers aboveground year-round lowers their cold hardiness by at least one full growing zone.
Plants in containers will also require more water than those growing in the garden. Since bee balm likes moist soil, you’ll have to keep a close eye on it to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out.
It may need water as often as once per day during hot periods, depending on the size of the plant and its container.
The Bee Balm NOBODY Talks About
FAQ
How do you keep bee balm from spreading?
Dividing and Transplanting: Bee balm spreads rapidly, and dividing it regularly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure its vigor and that of the plants around it. Simply dig it up, discard the woody center, make small divisions of the newer shoots and roots, and replant.
Can bee balm be invasive?
As these shoots multiply, the mother plant in the center will eventually die off over the course of a couple years. This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So, if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions.
What are the cons of bee balm?
What are the cons of bee balm? Bee balm is in the mint family and is known for spreading on its own just as vigorously as other mint plants. It does this by underground rhizomes. It is also highly susceptible to powdery mildew.
What not to plant next to bee balm?
Mint: This plant is notorious for its aggressive growth. It can easily spread and compete for nutrients, potentially choking out your beloved Bee Balm.Oct 9, 2024
Are bee balm flowers invasive?
The Bee balm flower – also referred to as monarda – is relatively easy to grow from seeds, cuttings, and root divisions. In fact, the plant can become invasive and spread every year with the right growing season. This is because it quickly spreads via underground rhizomes. So much so that you might even be forced to find methods to eradicate it.
Does bee balm eat invasive plants?
Bee balm (Monarda), sometimes called bergamont, is an aggressive spreader—so it holds up well against invasive competitors. Even so, give bee balm space by avoiding invasive plants, especially these—the worst invasive plants: Avoid placing heavy-feeding plants next to bee balm. Heavy feeders require a lot of nutrients, especially nitrogen.
What is a bee balm plant?
Bee balm (Monarda), is also known as Oswego tea, horsemint, and bergamot. It’s a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and a versatile perennial plant. The plant attracts pollinators, and is a good addition to homemade potpourris and lotions. Bee balm flowers are so captivating that they add color and beauty to any garden.
How big does a bee balm grow?
Bee balms (monarda) grow anywhere from two to four feet in height. These beautiful plants, with pink flowers, work well to attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Is Bee Balm Invasive? The Bee balm flower – also referred to as monarda – is relatively easy to grow from seeds, cuttings, and root divisions.
Does bee balm spread quickly?
It is prized for its color and its tendency to attract bees and butterflies. It can spread quickly, though, and requires a bit of care to keep it under control. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage bee balm plants. Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots.
Can bee balm take over your garden?
Avoid planting bee balm in overly ideal conditions unless you don’t mind it naturalizing. If you don’t want bee balm to take over your garden, there are several effective control methods: Physical Barriers – Installing rhizome barrier around bee balm patches contains their spread.