Bee balm (also known as wild bergamot or Monarda fistulosa) is a vibrant and versatile flowering plant that’s more than just a pretty addition to your backyard.
This powerhouse perennial offers a wealth of benefits that can transform your outdoor space into a thriving ecosystem. Recent research has even shown that bee balm extracts are rich in antioxidants and safe for consumption.1
Here are 10 bee balm benefits that can transform your garden and health.
1. Attracts Pollinators
Bee balm is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, helping to support a healthy ecosystem in your backyard. These pollinators are essential for the growth of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, ensuring a vibrant and productive garden.
2. Low Maintenance
Bee balm is a hardy perennial that thrives in various conditions and requires minimal care. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.
3. Long Blooming Period
With its vibrant and colorful blooms, bee balm adds a burst of beauty to your backyard throughout the summer. The flowers last for several weeks, attracting pollinators and providing a visual feast for humans alike.
4. Culinary & Medicinal Uses
The leaves and flowers of bee balm are edible and have a minty, citrusy flavor. They can be used to make teas, salads, and other dishes. Also, bee balm has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, such as colds, sore throats, and digestive issues.
5. Variety of Colors & Sizes
Bee balm comes in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, purple, and white, allowing you to create a personalized and eye-catching display in your backyard.
There are also different varieties with varying heights, making it suitable for various landscaping needs, from borders to containers.
6. Deer & Rabbit Resistant
Bee balm is not a preferred food source for deer and rabbits, making it a valuable addition to gardens in areas where these animals are a problem. Its strong fragrance and slightly fuzzy leaves deter these common garden pests.
7. Erosion Control
Due to its spreading habit and dense growth, bee balm helps to control soil erosion, especially on slopes or areas with loose soil. Its roots help to hold the soil in place, preventing it from being washed away during heavy rainfall.
8. Natural Pest Control
The aromatic oils in bee balm act as a natural insect repellent, deterring harmful pests like aphids and mosquitoes. This can help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, promoting a healthier garden ecosystem.
9. Supports Beneficial Insects
In addition to attracting pollinators, bee balm also provides habitat and food for beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. These insects prey on harmful pests, further contributing to natural pest control in your garden.
10. Easy to Propagate
Bee balm is easy to propagate through division or cuttings, allowing you to expand your plantings or share with friends and neighbors. This makes it a cost-effective and sustainable choice for your garden.
Bee balm truly deserves a place in every backyard, whether you’re seeking to attract pollinators, create a natural pest control system, or simply enhance the visual appeal of your garden.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.