Monarda didyma

Family: Lamiaceae

Common names: BEE BALM, BEEBALM, BERGAMOT, HORSEMINT, OSWEGO TEA, WILD BERGAMOT

Native to: Canada, United States

Plant

Type: perennial

Forms: clumping, erect, open form

Leaves deciduous

Max height: 4 feet

Max width: 3 feet

Flower

red

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, bird, hummingbird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: nectar

Plant features: deciduous

Exposure: light shade, sun

Landscape uses: container, deer resistant

Propagates by: seed

flowers in fall

flowers in summer

Soil type: well drained

USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F

Water: moist, regular

leaf

apical

profile

apical

margin

leaf

There are 31 species of Monarda, a member of the Lamiaceae family, also called BEEBALM, BERGAMOT, or HORSEMINT. Monarda didyma is in cultivation; it grows to 4 feet tall in Zones 4-9 and flowers in summer and fall. Other species – Monarda citriodora (a reseeding annual to 3 feet tall), M. fistulosa (to 3 feet tall), and M. media (a 3 foot tall naturalizing plant) – may be robust and attractive to wildlife; they flower in summer. Monarda prefers regular or moist watering. Bees, birds, and hummingbirds will also come to these plants for nectar.

Monarda attracts Neophasia menapia, PINE WHITE.
in addition, Monarda didyma attracts Battus philenor, PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL, and Speyeria cybele, GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY.

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial

This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.

Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.

Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.

By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.

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