Monarda didyma
Family: Lamiaceae
Common names: BEE BALM, BEEBALM, BERGAMOT, HORSEMINT, OSWEGO TEA, WILD BERGAMOT
Native to: Canada, United States
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect, open form
Leaves deciduous
Max height: 4 feet
Max width: 3 feet
Flower
red
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, bird, hummingbird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: nectar
Plant features: deciduous
Exposure: light shade, sun
Landscape uses: container, deer resistant
Propagates by: seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F
Water: moist, regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
leaf
leaf
apical
There are 31 species of Monarda, a member of the Lamiaceae family, also called BEEBALM, BERGAMOT, or HORSEMINT. Monarda didyma is in cultivation; it grows to 4 feet tall in Zones 4-9 and flowers in summer and fall. Other species – Monarda citriodora (a reseeding annual to 3 feet tall), M. fistulosa (to 3 feet tall), and M. media (a 3 foot tall naturalizing plant) – may be robust and attractive to wildlife; they flower in summer. Monarda prefers regular or moist watering. Bees, birds, and hummingbirds will also come to these plants for nectar.
Monarda attracts Neophasia menapia, PINE WHITE.
in addition, Monarda didyma attracts Battus philenor, PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL, and Speyeria cybele, GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY.
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
