Bee balm flowers are some of the most vibrant and eye-catching blooms that grace gardens across North America. With their wide range of colors and whimsical shapes, it’s no wonder these flowers have long been a favorite of gardeners In this article, we’ll showcase the beauty of bee balm flowers through a collection of stunning pictures and explore what makes them such a beloved garden plant
Bee balm is the common name used for any plants in the Monarda genus, a group of around 15-18 aromatic perennial species in the mint family. Most bee balms are native to North America and many types were traditionally used by Native Americans for their medicinal properties.
Today, bee balms are mostly valued for their flowers that bloom for a long time and attract lots of pollinators. Birds, butterflies, and, of course, bees all go crazy for the tightly packed, nectar-filled blooms. Bee balms are known for more than just their looks. They also have a minty smell and keep deer away.
The Distinctive Structure of Bee Balm Flowers
The strange shape of bee balm flowers is one of the things that makes them stand out. The tubular flowers are grouped together in dense, spherical heads that are 2 to 4 inches across.
Each small flower head is on top of a square stem and has dozens of small tubular blooms inside it. Around the base of each flower head is a whorl of colorful, showy bracts that look like leaves and add to the plant’s beauty.
A Spectrum of Bee Balm Flower Colors
One of the most common bee balm flower colors is red, but they also come in many other colors. Shades range from dark magenta and purple to pale pink, peach, and white. Bi-colors like purple and white are also seen.
This wide spectrum makes it easy to find a shade that suits your tastes and complements other plants in your garden. The flowers also mix well in bouquets.
Picture Gallery of Bee Balm Flowers
Now that we’ve covered some basics, let’s take a visual tour of bee balm flowers. Below you’ll find pictures displaying the range of colors and forms found among popular bee balm varieties.
Scarlet Bee Balm
Scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) shows off vibrant crimson red blooms in mid to late summer:
![Scarlet bee balm with red flowers]
This bold bee balm grows up to 4 feet tall and thrives with minimal care. The ruby flowers glow against green foliage.
Wild Bergamot
Sometimes called wild bee balm, Monarda fistulosa exhibits soft lavender-pink flowers reminiscent of the bergamot orange scent:
![Wild bergamot with pinkish-purple flowers]
Wild bergamot reaches 2-5 feet tall and tolerates drier soils than other bee balms. Its pretty blooms and fragrance are suited to naturalized areas.
Lemon Bee Balm
Monarda citriodora offers light purple flowers with a strong lemon scent. Crush its leaves and you’ll get a burst of citrus:
![Lemon bee balm with purple flowers]
Lemon bee balm can spread aggressively but makes an excellent addition to herb gardens and xeriscapes requiring little watering.
Purple Rooster
The two-tone flowers of Monarda media ‘Purple Rooster’ display pinkish-purple petals with contrasting white centers:
![Purple rooster bee balm flowers]
At just 12-18 inches tall, this compact variety works well in borders and planters. It has excellent resistance to powdery mildew disease.
Balmy Rose
Monarda didyma ‘Balmy Rose’ charms with huge shaggy, soft pink blooms marked with darker pink spots:
![Balmy rose bee balm flowers]
These lush, full flowers give balmy rose bee balm an elegant, romantic vibe. It does best in organically rich soil.
Marshal’s Delight
Pretty green bracts surround the bright pinkish-purple flowers of Monarda ‘Marshal’s Delight’, creating a two-tone effect:
![Marshal’s Delight bee balm flowers]
At just 2 feet tall, this mildew-resistant cultivar is ideal for containers. It blooms prolifically from early to late summer.
Grow Them for Endless Flower Color
With their diversity of hues and shapes, bee balms offer long-blooming flowers to suit any color scheme or garden style. Give them full sun and average soil drainage for the best floral display. Pictures don’t do justice to seeing their beauty up close in your own garden.
So if you’re looking to attract more pollinators while adding vivid, fragrant color to your landscape, bee balm flowers are a must. Let us know if you have a favorite variety we should add to our visual bee balm guide!