Monarda, Bee Balm, Beebalm 'Petite Delight'

Monarda

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Monarda (mo-NAR-da)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Shiny/Glossy
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 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)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Rose/Mauve
Lavender
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
By tip layering
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:

East Lyme, Connecticut

Savannah, Georgia

Algonquin, Illinois

Bridgeview, Illinois

Hebron, Kentucky

North Yarmouth, Maine

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Pembroke, Massachusetts

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hopkins, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Kirksville, Missouri

Polson, Montana

Jamesburg, New Jersey

Whitehouse Station, New Jersey

Whiting, New Jersey

Wellsville, New York

Belfield, North Dakota

Bucyrus, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Dublin, Ohio

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Knoxville, Tennessee

West Dummerston, Vermont

Leesburg, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Cameron, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
8
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
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3
East Lyme, CT | July 2016 | negative

I bought the Petite Delight because it was mildew resistant. I have had the plants for one month and all 5 plants have mildew.
I ...Read More

A
Fargo, ND (Zone 4a) | October 2013 | neutral

Six inch plant with two flowers in its third year is underwhelming.

B
Silver Spring, MD (Zone 7a) | September 2011 | neutral

QUESTION: Since this is a hybrid between bee balm (minty smell) and Oswego tea (bergamot smell), can someone please post whether its leav...Read More

E
E
Wellsville, NY (Zone 4b) | May 2011 | positive

My second year with this plant. So far it's the exact same size as last year. Not spreading so far but unfortunately, the red bee balm ne...Read More

M
Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) | July 2010 | positive

I have not found these to spread like other varieties of bee balm. Mine had some powdery mildew last year, but the plants bloomed and se...Read More

S
Norristown, PA (Zone 6b) | November 2009 | positive

I planted 2 of these in the late spring in semi shade. We had one of the wettest most humid summers ever. These plants grew about 6" ov...Read More

A
Aberdeen, SD | November 2009 | neutral

Nice plant. Have had for 3 years in mostly sun and hasn't grown much if any. Don't know how can be invasive. Flowers are pretty though. G...Read More

F
Dublin, OH | July 2008 | neutral

I just bought two 'petite delights' this spring... they are STILL only about 6" tall. Both plants have sent up new stalks and have some ...Read More

M
M
Timnath, CO (Zone 5b) | July 2006 | neutral

I just planted this a few weeks ago and while it is blooming and it very pretty, it is not resistant to powdery mildew as it is claimed t...Read More

L
Richmond, MN | December 2004 | positive

I have had my Petite Monarda for 2 years and it is growning very well here. It has not been invasive. I'm wondering how it would grow...Read More

H
Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) | July 2004 | neutral

I too am having mildew problems w/ this beauty.
In fairness though all Monarda's have trouble here.

Full sun. Open ...Read More

G
Richmond, VA (Zone 7a) | June 2004 | positive

I have found this Bee Balm to be very NON-invasive. In fact, when I planted it, I wanted it to spread and it has stayed right in the sam...Read More

S
North Yarmouth, ME (Zone 5a) | September 2003 | neutral

Agreed that it is marketed as mildew resistant, but this past summer (three weeks of rain), it crashed heavily !
I have a tendency...Read More

K
K
Mount Prospect, IL (Zone 5a) | August 2003 | negative

I have several varieties of monarda, all but one susceptible to mildew, which has not been a big problem for me. However this dwarf vari...Read More

E
E
| August 2003 | positive

This Monarda is mildew resistant. After several years it has formed a nice clump, but is not invasive. Needs careful placement because ...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | February 2003 | neutral

A dwarf monarda. Marketed as being very resistant to mildew.

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