By Josie Borlongan, Garden Guides Contributor
About Bee Balm
Bee balms are herbaceous perennials that have heads for red and
claw-shaped flowers during summer. Bee balms are also called
"Oswego Tea," "Bergamot" and "Lemon Mint." Bee balms' leaves
contain the highest concentration of spicy, high fragrant oil that
are released when crushed. Bee balms grow in height ranging from
one to three feet (0.2 to 0.9 m). The spreads are equal, with
ovate, sometimes slender and long-tapering (lanceolate)
leaves.
Bee balms are excellent border plants.
Site Preparation
Prepare the ground well in advance, preferably around fall. Remove
weeds from the soil, taking care to remove any persistent perennial
weeds such as quackgrass (Elymus repens) using a weed killer if
necessary. Dig over the soil leaving it in a rough state over the
winter to be broken down by frost.
In early spring, remove any weeds that may have appeared, add
organic matter to your soil such as compost. Rake in the soil to a
fine, level tilth to provide a free-draining and fertile
soil.
Special Features
Bee balms have flowers that are bright red in head-like clusters
and have aromatic leaves that can be infused in tea. You can add
bee balms in your summer drinks, salads and pork dishes and use the
flowers to add color to salads and potpourri. Bee balms can relieve
nausea, flatulence, menstrual pain and insomnia. They can also be
helpful in alleviation of sore throats, colds and bronchial
symptoms.
Choosing a Variety
There are varieties of commercial cultivars and hybrids that range
in color from candy-apple red to pure white to deep blue. These
cultivars tend to be smaller than wild species. Cultivars with red,
pink, white or purple flowers are available.
Planting
In spring, sow seeds thinly-about ¼ inches (0.5 cm)
apart. Sowing densely may result in thin, spindly plants that are
prone to damping off.
In summer, you can plant stem cuttings by inserting cuttings around
the edge of 6 inches (915 cm) of rooting medium and water in. Cover
with a plastic bag, held away from the cuttings by stakes. When the
cuttings have rooted, gently lift them and pot them up individually
into 4 inch (10c m) pots.
In early spring, plants can also be divided and then planted.
Care
Be sure that the medium is moist but not wet, at all times. Bee
balms should be divided every three to five years to reduce spread.
Dividing bee balms can keep the central core of the plant healthy
and rot-free as well as can improving air circulation around the
leaves.
Fertilizers are not mandatory, but can be added sparingly after
blooming in spring.
Harvesting and Storage
Pick the leaves of bee balms in spring or just before flowering in
summer for using fresh and for drying. Gather flowers in summer.
