Today, bee balm is still used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. As a member of the mint family, when bee balm is used in teas, it can help with digestive issues, bloating, sore throats, and nausea. Bee balm is a natural antiseptic and applied topically, can help with bee stings, rashes, and minor wounds.

Are bergamot and bee balm the same plant?

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.

Is Monarda easy to grow?

Monarda is a very attractive, easy to grow long flowering perennial.

Is Monarda the same as bee balm?

Monarda is a popular perennial plant used in bee and butterfly gardens. It is commonly known as Bee Balm and its fragrant blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.

How do you use bee balm leaves?

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.

Is bee balm poisonous to dogs?

Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way.

Is bergamot easy to grow?

Wild bergamot is so easy to grow because it’s a member of the mint family, which is notorious for being so prolific it’s almost a pest if not controlled by the gardener.

What can you do with bergamot leaves?

The leaves are used to flavour punches, lemonade, and other cold drinks. Lemon bergamot, or lemon bee balm (M. citriodora), and wild bergamot (M. fistulosa) are also used as flavourings and in teas.

What does bee balm attract?

About Bee Balm

In the garden, its most frequent visitors are hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and moths. These visitors have the long tongues required to reach the tubular flowers’ nectar. Bee balm is a favorite plant for bumblebees especially.

Will Monarda grow in shade?

“Monarda does best planted in full sun, though it can benefit from afternoon shade in very hot climates,” says Georgia Clay, new plants manager at Monrovia. “Monarda is super low maintenance and grows easily in most well-draining garden soils.

How do you take care of Monarda?

Bee balm can tolerate some drought, but prefers moist soil. Water regularly once or twice a week during hot spells. Avoid overhead watering to reduce mildew and fungal disease.

Can Monarda be grown in pots?

In my experience, you can grow just about anything in a container if you can provide the required growing conditions (sun, water, nutrients, good potting mix, and room for roots to grow). Look for dwarf varieties of Monarda if you want something more compact for growing in pots.

What does Monarda smell like?

Also known by its scientific name, Monarda, it’s a flowering plant genus in the mint family. It’s also known as horsemint and wild bergamot, and is native to North America. This flower—which smells a bit like oregano—is one of the best pollinator-attracting plants you can have in your garden.

Is bee balm used in Earl GREY tea?

Bee Balm, also known as Bergamot, Latin name Monarda, includes over a dozen varieties. Monarda fistulosa is the wild local variety. I’ve been assured – erroneously it turns out – that this is the plant used in Earl Grey tea that gives it a special flavor.

What is a good companion plant for bee balm?

As there are so many colors of bee balm, it can work successfully in almost any sunny garden setting with a variety of plants such as Shasta daisy or garden phlox. It is a mid-border plant – working well with lower-growing perennials like dwarf amsonia to hide its sometimes scruffy lower legs.

Can you cook with bee balm?

Use it in place of Oregano or in addition to it for a mild minty flavor that is still quite savory and a nice addition to your meat dishes. 8. Spice up your salads. Bee Balm leaves can add a fresh boost to your fruit and vegetable salads.

What do you do with bee balm flowers?

Its flowers are used to garnish and flavor salads and other dishes, and it can be dried and used to make a spicy-sweet herbal tea. Medicinally, it can also be used to treat rashes and other skin irritations and can be made into a balm to treat bee stings (thus the primary common name).