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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Monarda didyma

Bee-balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot

Scientific Name:

Monarda didyma

Genus:

Monarda

Species Epithet:

didyma

Common Name:

Bee-balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

3-6 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Red

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

July, August, September

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

“Seepage slopes, periglacial boulderfields with abundant seepage, streambanks, boggy places, usually in strong to moderately filtered sunlight” (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Mountains, rare in Piedmont, rare in Coastal Plain (where introduced only).

Leaf Arrangement:

Whorled

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Highly Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Flower

Also a good garden plant that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

image

Paynter, Late July, 2009, Watauga Co

Habitat

Growing on a seepage slope with Rosebay (Rhododendron maximum)

image

Paynter, late July 2009, Watauga Co

Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Monarda didyma. You will likely hear them called Bee-balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot. This picture shows the  of Monarda didyma

Bettina Darveaux

The narrow-lipped scarlet flowers face outward from the flower head. Bracts below the inflorescence also have a reddish color.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Monarda didyma. You will likely hear them called Bee-balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot. This picture shows the The narrow-lipped scarlet flowers face outward from the flower head. Bracts below the inflorescence also have a reddish color. of Monarda didyma

Bettina Darveaux

Bee-balm seeds, collected from cultivated plants.

Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Monarda didyma. You will likely hear them called Bee-balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot. This picture shows the Bee-balm seeds, collected from cultivated plants. of Monarda didyma

Annkatrin Rose

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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