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Bee Balm | Wild Bergamot
Perennial
Native
60 days to harvest
Monarda fistulosa
NATIVE Joyful, gorgeous and deliciously medicinal, bee balm is easy to grow and tenaciously perennial. Also known as monarda or wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa is native to the Northeast, attracting beneficial pollinators and building soil.
Bee balm can also be established through August, though she may not flower until her second summer if sown past June here in Zone 5.
Organic Bee Balm | Wild Bergamot
When to Seed: Transplant only, sowing indoors ~5-6 weeks before last frost and transplanting after frost. Sow in soil blocks, knowing light is needed for germination, and bottom-water to avoid displaced seed. Transfer to larger pot with first true leaves and harden off before transplanting.
Full/Part Sun Seed Depth: barely cover
Days to Germination: 7-14 days at 60-70°F
Plant spacing: 12 inches
Days to Flower: 60 Height: 3-4 feet
Harvest: Harvest flowers in peak bloom for medicine.
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Mel –
I planted a number of flats of this bee balm and got just one plant per plant to survive. I see that the packets I ordered in spring of 2021 said that the viability was low so they added extra seed, but it was dissapointing.
Maddie –
We are grateful for you sharing your reflections with us and the Fruition community, and truly sorry to hear that you haven’t found abundance and delight in this experience. Apologies that we are just now getting you a reply — we are responding to a backlog in product reviews, and iterating our teamwork to ensure we are consistently and quickly responding with care to reviews, now and in seasons to come. We appreciate your patience alongside your feedback!
Surrounding you with beauty and abundance is why we do what we do– one way or another, we would love to see you find more delight this season! We have reached out to you directly by email to joyfully provide you with a coupon for a free packet of seed. Please feel free to read our Satisfaction Guarantee and email support@fruitionseeds.com should you wish to reach out any time in the future. Thanks for growing with us!
And p.s.! Friends, while we are on the subject, for anyone reading who may be finding challenges with establishing these seeds, we invite you to check out our “Perennials” Growing Guide you’ll find in our Growing Library to learn why perennial seeds are some of the trickiest to establish and some common pitfalls to avoid.
education (verified owner) –
I purchased these seeds without realizing they required transplant only. Well, I didn’t have the option to start indoors so I direct sowed. None germinated.
Maddie –
We are grateful for you sharing your reflections with us and the Fruition community, and truly sorry to hear that you haven’t found delight in this experience. Apologies that we are just now getting you a reply — we are responding to a backlog in product reviews, and iterating our teamwork to ensure we are consistently and quickly responding with care to reviews, now and in seasons to come. We appreciate your patience alongside your feedback!
Seeds are sensitive beings, and we love sharing some of the steps we take to try to provide seed that is ready to germinate: we flag for review any variety or seed lot that does not reach 90% in a germination test (although legal minimums for selling seed are sometimes as low as 45%!). Our tests are handled by a 3rd party that specializes in germination testing. The vast majority of our varieties never have any issue reaching that 90% threshold. If need be, we take care to re-winnow lots, or overpack packets to help provide the foundation for your garden to grow abundantly.
One way or another, we would love to see you find more delight this season! We have reached out to you directly by email to joyfully provide you with a coupon for free seed. Please feel free to read our Satisfaction Guarantee and email support@fruitionseeds.com should you wish to reach out any time in the future. And for anyone reading this and struggling with germination, we invite you to review materials in the “Learn” section of our site — including our Rise and Shine free ebook, Starting Seeds with Ease free online course, and growing guide on Perennials to make sure your timing, watering, and all that is right for the seeds you’re working with. Thanks for growing with us!
Laura (verified owner) –
Hard to germinate but MAN is it prolific! Had one plant make it all the way out to my city patio garden 2 years ago along with a Hyssop seedling. I planted the two together in a large pot as a mini tea garden and they’ve produced more than enough dried tea for me. Now the bee balm has out completed the Hyssop so much I’ve just divided it into 3 sections. 2 to spread the joy of a hot tea mid winter, full of the memories of the summer garden to 2 more people. Definitely not the instant satisfaction of easy to germinate basil but it’s the first herb I harvest each spring, welcoming me back to the garden! I’d say that’s well worth the seed packet.
Melissa Knox –
Hi Laura,
So glad to hear you enjoy this plant as much as we do.
Thanks for growing with us!
Melissa