Monarda didyma
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Monarda didyma

scarlet beebalm
Bergamot
Oswego tea
Bee balm

  family lamiaceae 
  genus monarda 

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Identification
Genus  Monarda Species  didyma Variety  Cultivar  Common names  scarlet beebalm   Bergamot   Oswego tea   Bee balm Family  LAMIACEAE Specimen number  S10667 Data source  HumGrdn p50;Frgnt p299;Xeri p286
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Perennial Life span  3 - 10 years Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Groundcover Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  2' - 3' Overall spread  2'
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Moist Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Various USDA hardiness  USDA zones 04a-10b AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Monarda didyma attracts hummingbirds. The leaves of Bee balm (also known as Bergamot, Oswego tea or scarlet beebalm) have a faintly sweet aroma. Despite its invasive tendency, this plant is still worthwhile to have. This plant can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -30� Fahrenheit. It likes moist soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  yes Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities  Invasive
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  sweet scented Fragrance parts  Leaves Fragrance intensity  Faint Fragrance category  Faintly sweet Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Cut back flowers at end of flowering season. Monarda didyma is a wildflower and probably originates from Eastern North America.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Monarda didyma is a perennial. Flowers: Bee balm (locally known in some parts as Bergamot, Oswego tea or scarlet beebalm) has 1" long blossoms in one or two whorls at the top of tall stems. Flowers occur in a range of colors including scarlet, pink and lavender.

Page 3044 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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