Does bee balm grow in Zone 3?
Bee balm grows well in hardiness zones 3-9, and is best planted in full sun, though it will tolerate shade in hotter areas, and can benefit from afternoon shade in very warm climates, which will protect plants from heat and lengthen the flowering season.
What temperature can bee balm tolerate?
Hardiness – The bee balm is tolerant of both cold and warm climates, and resists cold temperatures down to -20F.
What is a good companion plant for bee balm?
Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are both frequent visitors to Bee Balm. Favorite Companion Plants: As there are so many colors of bee balm, it can work successfully in almost any sunny garden setting with a variety of plants such as Shasta daisy or garden phlox.
Is bee balm toxic to dogs?
Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.
What animals eat bee balm?
But birds don’t only enjoy Bee Balm in summer. The nutlet attracts finches, sparrows, juncos, redpolls, among other species.
Can bee balm grow in the shade?
Site Requirements. Bee balms perform best in full sun. While plants tolerate partial shade, they won’t flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew. They also prefer moist, well-drained soils.
Are bee balm roots invasive?
Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. 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.
Where to plant bee balm?
Bee balm can be planted in the spring or in the fall. Bee balm thrives in full sunshine. Space plants 18-24 inches apart in rich, well-draining soil. Bee balm needs good air circulation, otherwise it can develop mildew on its leaves. Water thoroughly.
When to plant bee balm?
Sow seeds immediately after the last frost. Spring is also a good time to transplant bee balm divisions. Although fall planting is preferable in temperate areas, plant bee balm in either fall or spring in Mediterranean climate areas where it can be sown as early as February.
Does bee balm need full sun?
The most common problem is a lack of sun. Bee balm thrives in full sun, and most varieties need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day in order to bloom well. Bee balm that doesn’t get enough sunlight is also often leggy looking. If your bee balm is showing both of these symptoms, try relocating it to a sunnier spot.
How to take care of bee balm?
Bee Balm Care Growing bee balm is fairly easy as long as you keep the soil moist. Provide a good, multi-purpose fertilizer, and work it into the soil around the bee balm plant. If you want a bushier plant, pinch off the stem tips as new growth appears in the early spring.
