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How to Harvest and Preserve Bee Balm. Harvest mid-morning after the dew has evaporated for the greatest flavor. Harvest by clipping the base of the stalk. Gather the stalks by their stems, tie the ends, and hang to dry.
Can you harvest bee balm?
Once bee balm flowers begin to bloom, pick them often to encourage more growth. Harvest them by cutting 8 to 10 inches worth of stem. If using for teas, tie the stems together and hang upside down until the flowers dry and are brittle to touch.
What part of bee balm is used for tea?
Bee Balm Tea The individual petals of bee balm flowers pull out easily and can be dried to make a beautiful bright red tea. In season, the petals can also be used fresh.
What parts of bee balm are used?
All above ground parts of the plant are edible. The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or cooked. Bee balm has a minty taste and a flavor similar to oregano. It also has a citrusy aroma.
Is bee balm cut and come again?
Bee balm (Monarda) begin to bloom in July and will continue to bloom throughout late summer. As the flowers begin to wilt and fade, cut just above the next flower bud. Continue to cut throughout the season as needed until the stem has finished flowering. Once a stem is finished flowering, trim it back to the ground.
How long does it take for bee balm to bloom?
Bee Balm does not usually flower until the second year. Mature plants, 3-4 years old, can be divided to make new plants.
How do you get bee balm to bloom?
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.
What do you do with bee balm after it blooms?
As your flowers start to fade, you should deadhead bee balm just above the next flower bud to encourage further flowering. Once a stem has finished flowering, trim it back down to the ground or pinch it off. This will encourage the plant to send up another blossoming stem.
How tall does Beebalm grow?
Growth Habit: Bee balm can grow up to 4 ft tall with a spread of 3-4 ft, but dwarf varieties top out at just 15 inches, with a spread of 18-24 inches.
Is bee balm poisonous?
Bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family. 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.
How do you use fresh bee balm?
Fresh bee balm leaves can be added to pesto, and the flower petals make a pretty and aromatic garnish. They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one.
How do you use bee balm medicinally?
10 Ways to Use Bee Balm Use bee balm as a natural antiseptic. Did you get a cut or scratch while gardening? Soothe a sore throat with Bee Balm. Soothe a sore tummy. Get a good night’s sleep. Freshen up a small space with dried bee balm flowers. Give your jelly a boost. Season your meats. Spice up your salads.
Is Bergamot the same as bee balm?
One of the loveliest of the flowering herbs, Bee Balm (also known as Bergamot), is a great attractor for hummingbirds and bees. Known also as beebread plant, Oswego tea, horsemint, and simply monarda, its leaves have a strong fragrance reminiscent of the bergamot orange.
What’s eating my bee balm leaves?
Spider mites: They suck out a garden bee balm’s fluids through its foliage. This eventually leads to the loss of leaves. If you notice them, applying insecticide soap should help protect your flowers. Aphids: Not only do they suck on the leaves, but they also emit honeydew onto them.
Do birds eat bee balm seeds?
But birds don’t only enjoy Bee Balm in summer. The nutlet is a large, hard-shelled seed that forms when the flowers turn into seed. The nutlet attracts finches, sparrows, juncos, redpolls, among other species.
When should you Deadhead bee balm?
Begin deadheading as soon as the first flower clusters begin to wilt and die. Cut back the flowering stems to within 1/4-inch of a leaf or leaf bud near the top of the stem. After deadheading, rake up and dispose of or compost the removed flowers.
How fast does bee balm grow?
110-120 days Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Red, pink, light to dark purple Exposure: Full sun to partial shade 6.0-7.0 Time to Maturity: 110-120 days Well-draining Spacing: 18-24 inches Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds Planting Depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Summer phlox, basil, dill, thyme, daylilies.
What grows well with bee balm?
Companion Planting and Design Bee balm is a perfect cottage garden plant. I like to let it ramble though a perennial flower border next to tall garden phlox, rudbeckia, roses, and peonies.
How often should you water bee balm?
Bee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. For best performance, water bee balms every 7 to 10 days during dry periods. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
