The vibrant blooms and aromatic foliage of bee balm add a splash of color and scent across perennial gardens from early summer to fall. In addition, deer and rabbits won’t eat it, butterflies, hummingbirds and bees love its flowers, and this North American native can easily adapt to various soil and climate conditions.
GARDEN BUZZ
Unique whorls of shaggy headed flowers are typically 2 to 3 inches wide and bloom for up to 6 weeks. Blooms burst forth in a spectacular array of red, purple, pink or white. And the foliage blends the scents of mint and basil and is as functional as it is fragrant.
BEYOND BEAUTY
Bee balm is more than just visually enchanting: It also offers medicinal and edible beneFIts. Native Americans have long recognized its antiseptic properties, using it as a remedy for digestive issues, headaches and infections. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for teas and are believed to alleviate symptoms of colds, fevers and sore throats. Additionally, bee balm flowers are a bit spicy with a minty, oregano like flavor and add a subtle zest to salads, as a garnish or in baked goods.
On the next few pages, let’s explore the different bee balm cultivars, how to care for them and the secrets to cultivating a garden with its beauty and aromatic allure.
Meet the Family
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 175 - February 2024 من Garden Gate.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 175 - February 2024 من Garden Gate.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Birds & The Bees (and Bunnies)
Although I wouldn’t call my raised garden beds romantic, the rabbits in my neighborhood sure like to use them in spring for their bunny rendezvous and subsequent nests.
5 Ways to Stake Tomatoes
While it might feel early to be thinking about tomatoes, it’s never too early to start planning your next garden, especially if your tomato plants tend to look wild and overgrown by the time you remember to offer them a cage for support.
Destination Gardens
Don’t miss out on these four botanical treasures!
Bee Balm
Butterflies and pollinating insects can't resist this bold summer perennial.
2024's Best New Plants!
Instead of ringing in the new year with champagne and balloons, why not treat yourself to a few new plants that you can enjoy through the growing season? There are a lot of interesting introductions to get excited about this year.
6 Pro Garden Design Secrets
Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. And sometimes it’s hard to know if you’ll like something until you’ve seen it. By then, you’ve spent enough hours, hard work and money that it’s tough to make a change.
Dreaming of Summer
Unless you are lucky enough to live where it’s warm year round, when winter starts to drag on, it may feel as if the garden is awash in dreary, monochromatic browns and grays. Time to close your eyes and dream of summer—a colorful season when foliage is vibrant, fl owers are blooming and pollinators are active. If you need a bit of summer inspiration, here are three colorful low-maintenance combos that will also attract wildlife. Who wouldn’t dream of that?
Native Bees Find Winter Shelter in Surprising Places
As the buzz of busy bees gave way to the rustle of fallen leaves in my autumn garden, the last of the bumblebee stragglers hit up fading mountain mint blooms. Day by day, fewer sparkly green sweat bees and dwarf carpenter bees nectared on the asters, eventually vanishing along with the fluffy field thistle seeds.
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