Monarda bradburiana
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Tried and True Recommended by 7 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: eastern beebalm
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Central and southern United States
Garden Location: Lucy and Stanley Lopata Prairie Garden, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Bloom Description: Pink to white with purple
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Leaves: Fragrant
Wildlife: Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought, Deer
Uses: Culinary Herb, Cut Flower, Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

Culture

Best grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates somewhat poor soils and some drought. Plants need good air circulation. Deadhead flowers to prolong summer bloom. Tends to self-seed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This beebalm species is a common Missouri native perennial which occurs statewide in dryish, acidic soils in open, rocky woods and glade margins. A clump-forming, mint family member that grows typically to 1-2' tall. Tubular, two-lipped, pinkish to whitish, purple-spotted flowers appear in dense, globular, solitary, terminal heads atop square stems. Each flower head is subtended by (rests upon) a whorl of showy, purplish-tinged, leafy bracts. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The toothed, aromatic, oblong, grayish-green leaves (to 4") may be used in teas. Long summer bloom period. Nomenclature for this plant is somewhat confused because some references assert that this separate species is synonymous with Monarda russeliana.

Plant of Merit

The tubular, two-lipped, purple-spotted, pink to white flowers of this Missouri native beebalm bloom in summer in dense, globular heads atop square stems with aromatic, gray-green leaves. Bees and butterflies are often in abundance when flowers are in bloom. Plants thrive in somewhat dry acidic soils, appreciate good air circulation and may self-seed in the garden. Plants grow to 2 feet tall and naturalize well in native plant areas, meadows or herb gardens.

Problems

Powdery mildew can be a significant problem with the monardas, particularly in crowded gardens with poor air circulation. This species has mildew resistance, however. Rust can also be a problem.

Garden Uses

Provides color and contrast for the herb garden, wild garden, native plant garden, meadow or naturalized area. May also be used in the perennial border, but probably is best in more informal plantings.

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