Can you grow Monarda from seed?
Direct seed: Sow from early spring up until 8 weeks before the first frost in the fall. Direct seed or sow in a cold frame to be transplanted when they reach a height of 3-4″. Sow about one seed per inch in rows 18″ apart. Thin to 12-18″ apart.
How do you grow Monarda fireball?
Monarda Plant Care Easy to grow. Divide spring or fall every 3-4 years. Thinning stems out to increase air circulation will further help prevent powdery mildew, as will keeping plants watered during dry spells. Foliage can be cut back after flowering to encourage fresh new leaves and possible late fall rebloom.
Does fireball bee balm spread?
Highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies….Fireball Bee Balm.
| Zones | 4 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Light Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Tolerance | Low-Water |
| Mature Height | 15-20″ tall |
| Mature Spread | 18-20″ wide |
How long does it take bee balm to bloom from seed?
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial | Flower / Foliage Color: |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Maturity: | 110-120 days | Soil Drainage: |
| Spacing: | 18-24 inches | Attracts: |
| Planting Depth: | 1/8 inch (seeds) | Companion Planting: |
| Height: | 3-5 feet | Uses: |
Do Monarda seeds need light to germinate?
Sow 4 to 5 seeds per pot, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. The seeds will require direct lighting to germinate properly, so we suggest not burying your Bee Balm seeds with topsoil.
How do you germinate Monarda?
Cover the Monarda seeds with a thin layer of seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds eight to 10 weeks before the last expected frost. Put the tray of pots in a plastic bag and seal it. Set the tray in a location out of direct sunlight with temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit until the seeds germinate.
Is fireball bee balm edible?
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 hard to grow from seed?
You can grow bee balm from seed, but it establishes quicker when planted from divisions from a friend’s garden or purchased plants from your local garden center. Like other herbs in the mint family, bee balm is considered to be a bit invasive. It will easily self-sow and also spreads by underground rhizomes.
When should I plant bee balm seeds?
Sow seeds immediately after the last frost. Spring is also a good time to transplant bee balm divisions. Although fall planting is preferable in temperate areas, plant bee balm in either fall or spring in Mediterranean climate areas where it can be sown as early as February.
Does Monarda need cold stratification?
To get the seeds to germinate, they must go through cold stratification. To do this, either sow the seeds outdoors in the fall or place the seeds in the refrigerator in moist soil for at least one month. In the spring, amend the soil with compost once it is workable.
Does bee balm like sun or shade?
Growing bee balm plants isn’t hard, if you keep their soil evenly moist. Plant monarda in spring or fall in a spot that gets full sun. Bee balm tolerates partial sun, but you’ll get fewer flowers. Space monarda plants 18 to 24 inches apart in organically rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7 that drains easily.
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.
Is Monarda fireball a perennial?
Free-flowering, Monarda ‘Fireball’ (Bee Balm) is a compact, clump-forming perennial boasting masses of vibrant scarlet red flowers, borne in dense, globular terminal heads. Blooming for weeks from mid to late summer, they rest upon a whorl of decorative bracts and attract scores of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Is Monarda a good cut flower?
The boldness of its blooms makes it terrific for massing or as an accent plant. Great for containers, it makes excellent cut flowers too. Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators but this plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
Can you plant Monarda in clay soil?
If you have particularly challenging gardening conditions (hot humid summers, periodic drought, or cold winters–as low as USDA zone 4), we recommend planting Mondarda fistulosa or Monarda ‘Peter’s Purple’ (USDA zone 6) which grow easily in most soil types, including clay. The cold hardy zone 4 varieties are excellent for fall planting.
What does fireball plant look like?
Fireball is a compact growing hybrid with a mid-summer display of bright scarlet-red flowers over glossy green foliage. Highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
