Growing Monarda

This time of year, when the abundance is fresh, I like to feature a few plants that I grow, and recommend for the Prescott high desert climate.  

Most of these would easily be characterized as water-wise, possibly native, cottage garden plants, and the vast majority as herbs.  Some are all four, but not always.

Today, I'm featuring a lovely and tough cottage garden plant that is water-wise, and is considered an herb offering various health and well-being benefits:  Monarda.  And in this case it's Monarda didyma.
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Let's get to it...

​Background

Monarda is a perennial herb, which is related to mint.  Hint:  you most often know this by looking very closely at the plant stem which, in the case of the mint family, is square.  

It has several other common names including:  Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot (which is NOT related to the citrus fruit which is used to flavor Earl Grey Tea - but has a scent reminiscent of that fruit), Oswega from the Native Americans, and even Horsemint (do horses eat it?).  

It is actually native to North America. east coast and north east.  Monarda likes sunny locations and in our climate does well with some light shade (we aren't on the east coast!), and does need low amounts of regular water to be it's most vigorous.  It is truly a bee magnet - hence the common name Bee Balm.  Honestly, it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, later in the season the hawk moths.  Monarda is considered bunny and deer resistant, which I appreciate with all our wild life up here.

The flowers are a very rich, intense color most commonly a magenta pink, but it comes in other varieties with different shades as well.  After it's established it will grow vigorously to a height of about 3 or 3 1/2 feet tall (even up to 4 feet) and spread somewhat - as all mint do.  Because of this it is wise to give it some room, but I don't find it hard to manage - although I'm pretty hands-on and tolerant of these cottage plants doing what they do.  It's extremely easy to pull the expanding underground creepers once or twice a season.  If you ignore it, it will continue to spread - fair warning.

If you want to grow this from seed - be patient.  The first year will be slow going, but once it gets a foothold it will be spectacular.  

Monarda can suffer from some powdery mildew if it's overwatered, but again I don't typically have any issue with this in our high desert climate here in Arizona.  And being a hardy, fast grower if I cut it back after this early summer flowering, I usually get another flush.  

Other than it's raucous style and beauty, Monarda is a plant with many uses.  First and foremost, it is a food source for countless pollinators.  It is also considered a medicinal herb and is said to offer several benefits in different forms such as teas, syrups, salves, tinctures, culinary uses, etc.  I am not an herbalist or an expert, but I learn by doing lots of reading and research, and here I will offer a couple of links for those of you wish to do the same.  And scroll down to learn about making an herbal tea from your Monarda.

• The Herbal Academy
• 12 Ways to Use Monarda

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​Making Monarda Tea

One of the true pleasures of growing an extensive herb garden, is not only the visual and sensory enjoyment, but also the medicinal and culinary uses.

If you are growing your plants organically, then you can craft warm or iced herbal teas on a whim and possibly treat some mild ailments along the way.

​I make my herbal teas mainly for the flavors and general health benefits, but I'm starting to learn more about the uses of all these amazing plants.

Here's a delicate and bright tea recipe for you to try using Monarda.  You'll have to use a LOT more of the blooms if you want to get a truly rich color to the steep.

​For one serving of Monarda Tea:
1 tablespoon dried flower petals
2 tablespoons fresh flowers
Pinch of fresh or dried leaves
2 cups of barely boiling water (a hard boil will be too harsh for these delicate plants)
Cover with a lid and steep for at least 15 minutes
​These delicate blooms and essential oils take a while to release
Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer and enjoy warm or on ice
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behind the scenes in my prescott garden

Here at Juniper Hill Cottage, I've been growing a couple of different Monarda varieties.  While they do flower best in the sun, I find that in our climate they look their best with a little filtered shade.  These plants are in their second year, and they stand at about 4 feet tall.  Since this patch is right next to a walkway, when I brush past them you catch that lovely scent.
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This variety really and truly is this vibrant - no filter, I promise.  This is called Bee Balm 'Raspberry Wine' and it's a combination of muted mauve colors on the top leaves and bracts along with the showy bright pink petals on top.  I love the complexity of the flower form.
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I mentioned that I'm growing a few varieties, all started from seed.  Be patient if you do the same, the first year is a little less show-stopping but well worth the wait.  Here you can see the varieties in my garden: Lemon, Raspberry Wine, and Bergamo.
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​Mini-Video Inspiration

Thanks for following along with me.  I hope you are excited to give Bee Balm a try in your high desert garden.  And if you try the tea recipe, I'd love to hear how you like it - drop a note in the comments below!

Peace & Contentment,
~Miriam

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