Monarda, Bee Balm, Beebalm, Bergamot, Firecracker Plant, Horsemint, Mountain Mint, Oswego Tea 'Jacob Cline'

Monardadidyma

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Monarda (mo-NAR-da)
Species
didyma (DID-ee-muh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Scarlet (dark red)
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Huntsville, Alabama

Covina, California

San Francisco, California

Brighton, Colorado

Denver, Colorado

Frisco, Colorado

New Milford, Connecticut

Deland, Florida

Wauchula, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Cornelia, Georgia

Dallas, Georgia

Guyton, Georgia

Thomasville, Georgia

Hailey, Idaho

Lewiston, Idaho

Edwardsville, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Naperville, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Solsberry, Indiana

Pacific Junction, Iowa

Andover, Kansas

Hebron, Kentucky

Henderson, Kentucky

Sulphur, Louisiana

North Yarmouth, Maine

Crofton, Maryland

Edgewater, Maryland

Silver Spring, Maryland

Dracut, Massachusetts

Haydenville, Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

Townsend, Massachusetts

Wayland, Massachusetts

Westborough, Massachusetts

Winchester, Massachusetts

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan(2 reports)

Royal Oak, Michigan

Trenton, Michigan

Anoka, Minnesota

Hibbing, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Brookfield, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri

Hooper, Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

Hudson, New Hampshire

Munsonville, New Hampshire

Blackwood, New Jersey

Englishtown, New Jersey

Hoboken, New Jersey

Mount Laurel, New Jersey

Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Averill Park, New York

Binghamton, New York

Bronx, New York(2 reports)

Buffalo, New York

Fishers Landing, New York

Kinderhook, New York

North Tonawanda, New York

Ogdensburg, New York

Poughkeepsie, New York

Schenectady, New York

West Islip, New York

Yonkers, New York

Concord, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Jacksonville, North Carolina

Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

Summerfield, North Carolina

Tobaccoville, North Carolina

Trinity, North Carolina

Belfield, North Dakota

Minnewaukan, North Dakota

Carrollton, Ohio

Fort Jennings, Ohio

Hamilton, Ohio

Stow, Ohio

Salina, Oklahoma

Ottawa, Ontario

Bend, Oregon

Cave Junction, Oregon

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Tioga, Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania

Wakefield, Rhode Island

Camden, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Lexington, South Carolina

Christiana, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

Deer Park, Texas

Garland, Texas

Houston, Texas

Nacogdoches, Texas

Palestine, Texas

Farmington, Utah

North Salt Lake, Utah

Alexandria, Virginia

Amelia Court House, Virginia

Basye, Virginia

Buchanan, Virginia

Lanexa, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cascade-Fairwood, Washington

Cathan, Washington

Concrete, Washington

East Port Orchard, Washington

John Sam Lake, Washington

Kalama, Washington

North Marysville, Washington

Parkwood, Washington

Port Orchard, Washington

Priest Point, Washington

Renton, Washington(2 reports)

Shaker Church, Washington

Stimson Crossing, Washington

Vancouver, Washington(2 reports)

Weallup Lake, Washington

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

17
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
Sort By:
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B
Boston, MA (Zone 5b) | September 2019 | positive

This has been my favorite beebalm. I prefer the taller cultivars to the new shorter ones. I have it in part shade and in full sun tucked ...Read More

A
New Jersey 6b, NJ | June 2017 | positive

I wish I had to space for more. It gets quite tall and blooms for a long time if you prune them back. This Jacob Cline version is a natur...Read More

J
J
Chehalis, WA (Zone 8b) | March 2014 | positive

This particular bee balm has been evergreen for me here in zone 8b. I remove the larger stems after they stop looking so good around Dec...Read More

K
K
San Francisco, CA | July 2011 | positive

Have this growing in a giant planter in SF. Manages to flower despite getting hardly any light (dappled shade under a bunch of trees). ...Read More

R
R
Puyallup, WA (Zone 8b) | September 2010 | positive

This is my first year to grow this plant & I love it! I have it planted in a large hanging basket in front of the window so we can enjoy ...Read More

J
Hibbing, MN | July 2010 | positive

Grows well in Zone 3a and the hummingbirds love it. I haven't had any problems with mildew and it seems to be pretty care free.

C
C
Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) | July 2010 | negative

A soft "country red" that fades noticeably as the flowers age.

Seemed rangy and weedy-looking and prone to wilt.

T
Concord, NC (Zone 7a) | July 2010 | positive

the healthiest and fastest growing and spreading beebalm I have in my garden..very beautiful and probably best all around beebalm, howeve...Read More

S
Norristown, PA (Zone 6b) | May 2008 | positive

I have this planted in both full sun as well as in full shade. It does well in both situations. Very dependable each year.

M
Southeastern, NH (Zone 5b) | October 2007 | positive

My plants are in Part Shade, during the longest days of summer they get shade during mid afternoon. Then dappled light until sundown. My ...Read More

L
Minnewaukan, ND | June 2006 | positive

I had to add this flower to my garden as it shares my son's name (Jacob Cline). I was hoping it would grow in North Dakota and it is! It ...Read More

G
Dallas, GA (Zone 7b) | June 2006 | positive

I dig up clumps frequently to plant in other areas and give to friends. It does need some sun (my original patch had real problems until ...Read More

P
Pewaukee, WI | May 2006 | positive

This plant was the first that brought hummingbirds to my yard. Came back and spread quite a bit in my zone 5 garden. I did cut it back af...Read More

P
P
North Tonawanda, NY (Zone 6a) | March 2006 | positive

The only drawback to this plant is it doesn't bloom all summer but while it is in bloom it is probably the first one my hummers visit whe...Read More

C
Perris, CA (Zone 9a) | October 2004 | neutral

I just planted one of these only the nursery spelled it Jacob Kline. Has anyone in So California had success with this plant? All the ...Read More

V
V
Marysville, WA (Zone 8b) | August 2004 | positive

Attracts hummingbirds that have a light peacock color.

H
Cornelia, GA | April 2004 | positive

This plant is a member of the mint family, and will move readily throughout the garden. The variety 'Jacob Cline' is mildew resistant. Ea...Read More

M
Bloomfield Hills, MI | June 2003 | positive

This plant looks great when paired with a tall yellow heliopsis (false sunflower). Other people have had problems with mildew; I have not...Read More

M
M
Lincoln, NE | June 2003 | positive

I have enjoyed this plant for ten years. It is easy to grow and does well with part sun. My plants grew extremely tall this year and ar...Read More

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