posted
I'm new. Happy to have found you. I have a question. A friend sent me a plant called bee balm. The instructions said to plant in full sun, which I did. It's been several months and the plant is just sitting there. Is anyone familiar with this plant and know what I should do? Thank you.
posted
I am a bee balm (Monarda) fan, and have been trying to get some to stay in my garden. This year we've had way too much rain, which is why I think that some of mine have disappeared. They like full sun and plenty of moisture, but must be in a position that drains well.
By "sitting there", do you mean it is not growing or flowering? If it is the perennial version of bee balm, it could be just trying to establish its roots, and will do more next year.
posted
As mentioned, Bee Balm likes a sunny, moist spot in the garden and will spread through underground runners to eventually occupy a 2'-3' space, so I hope you gave it plenty of room to grow. If not, you can easily pull up the new growth. It may be that your plant is young and establishng roots...more than likely you'll see a lot of growth and blooming next year, so don't be discouraged. When it does bloom, keep it deadheaded to increase flower production. Good luck!
posted
Thanks you guys. I do have it in the full sun and there is plenty of room around it. Glad I asked before I planted too close. It was a very tiny plant when I received it. It may have grown a little, but not much at all. Hopefully you are right and it's establishing roots and will be beautiful next year.
posted
I also have bee balm (monarda). I have the red ones (the tallest of them all) and I have the purple ones. Don't worry about these monarda! This year probably will turn out nothing but these beautiful flowers do SPREAD. For two years straight after purchasing our home I kept pulling these up thinking they were weeds. Later I found out about these blessings. In the spring it is easy to mistake them for weeds also but simply look at the stalk which is SQUARE shaped and you'll know not to uproot them unless you want them elsewhere. I started out with about 3 plants and now two years later I have approximately 20 and they (mine anyway) don't strive for constant watering. Dry spells won't hurt them (for a day or two) but keep in mind I am in zone 6 - Conn. -----good luck!
From: Connecticut | Registered: Aug 2003
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