I initially started planting bee balm plants after learning that they are attractive, flowering, perennial plants.
I quickly learned that they are one of my favorite plants because of how hardy they are.
Hardy Perennial in Zones 4 to 9
Depending on where you reside, bee balm blooms from June to September. It’s a hardy perennial that grows in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. If you take good care of the plants in these regions, they will come back year after year.
Powdery Mildew Is the Biggest Problem It Faces
Powdery mildew is the most common concern with bee balm, especially in high-humidity locations. This powdery fungus feeds on the plant’s foliage, darkening and drooping the leaves.
It feeds on plant waste and disperses its spores via wind and water. It thrives in humid environments with little to no air circulation.
While mildew is unavoidable during periods of high humidity, you can take steps to reduce the risk of mildew affecting your plants.
To begin, select an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In the spring, thin the stems to allow for more light and better airflow. Divide the plants every few years in the fall to improve air circulation and reduce the need for watering, especially during periods of high humidity. Avoid overhead watering and weed on a regular basis. Mulching can also help with moisture management.
Other Perennials to Consider Growing
Because bee balm foliage can become brown and scraggly, it’s best to plant it at the back of your garden, where the flowers can blossom in full grandeur and provide lovely flashes of color to your summer garden. Consider cultivating the following plants as companions for your bee balm.
Balloon Flower
Platycodon grandiflorus is the only species in the Platycodon genus. It is an East Asian herbaceous plant in the Campanulaceae family.
It is known as the “Balloon Flower” because of its balloon-like buds that burst open into big and magnificent blossoms. When fully open, the blossom resembles a star, with five-pointed petals surrounding a star-shaped pistil. It attracts both butterflies and birds.
Catmint
Catmint is an excellent addition to any garden if you’re looking for a hardy plant that will bloom for months on end with little care. The lavender-blue blossom clusters and delicate gray-green foliage are like a cool breeze on a hot day.
Sedum
Sedum, sometimes known as Stonecrop, is a large genus of succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family that is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with only a few species native to the Southern Hemisphere. This genus contains over 500 species of annuals, perennials, subshrubs, and evergreen perennials.
The majority of species have gorgeous, star-shaped flowers and enticing, succulent leaves. Sedums, which come in a wide range of colors and shapes, thrive in rock gardens, around stones, and alongside walkways and structures.
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia, commonly known as blanket flower, is a short-lived perennial with daisy-like blossoms that is easy to grow. The plant forms a slow-growing mound, and the common name may refer to how quickly it spreads and “covers” an area. They grow to a height of about 24 inches and a spread of about 20 inches. Blanket flowers proliferate swiftly.
