Reiman’s Pick
For the Week of May 26
Bee Balm—Not Just for the Bees
Emily Thomsen, Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
On December 16, 1773, a party of Boston citizens disguised as Native Americans boarded three ships docked in Griffin’s Wharf. Outraged by Parliament’s attempt to impose a tax on tea, the group of men threw the ships’ tea cargos overboard. After the events of the Boston Tea Party, colonists were left without the main ingredient for their favorite beverage. They turned to a local plant, the Bee Balm, for the needed tea leaves.
Years before colonists used this plant, Native Americans relied on it to relieve stomach aches, fevers, insomnia, and nosebleeds. Scientifically named Monarda after Dr. Nicholas Monardes, the Spanish botanist that first described it in 1571, the plant is more commonly known as Bee Balm, Bergamot, or Oswego Tea. The moniker of Bee Balm came to be when people created a mixture from the plant’s flowers to lessen the pain of a bee sting. The name Oswego Tea originated from the native Oswego Indians in the locale of what became Oswego, New York.
Considered a perennial, Bee Balm can reach a height of anywhere from one to four feet depending on cultivar. It is characterized by a cluster of small, tube-like flowers which rest at the top of the square stem. The flowers can be any variation of red, white, violet, or pink, and they typically bloom from early to late summer. Fine hairs envelop the oppositely arranged green leaves and hard stem of the plant. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, this plant requires full sun, along with moist, well-drained soil and good air circulation between plants. Unfortunately, Bee Balm is susceptible to powdery mildew and can be invasive if not maintained properly—be sure to select an appropriate cultivar such as ‘Marshal’s Delight’ or ‘Jacob Kline’ to reduce problems with foliar disease. The plant is easy to care for, requires minor maintenance, and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
At your home, Bee Balm may be planted along fences, to create a natural fence line between lawns or as part of a native perennial garden. Additionally, because of its fondness for the sun, Bee Balm will work well in sunny areas. It will also make a beautiful and fragrant addition to any perennial or mixed border. For those that enjoy growing their own food and ingredients, Bee Balm can be the start of an herb garden as well. Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are used in tea, and they make a good potpourri.
Visit Reiman Gardens this summer to experience Bee Balm, along with Chamomile, Hibiscus, Lemon Balm, Mint, Lavender, Scented Geraniums, and other plants used to make teas. These functional and charming plants are shown in the “A Mad Tea Party” display in Joey and Jesse’s Herb Garden.
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