Go Back Bee Balm Marshall's Delight

Posted: May 7, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Monarda 'Marshall's Delight'
    Butterfly IconDeer Resistant IconRock Garden IconHummingbird Icon

    Plant Type: Perennials

    True medium pink flowers top the stout, square stems of this Monarda from midsummer to early fall. It has demonstrated a high resistance to mildew. Monarda is native to eastern North America, so it is easy to grow and it multiplies quickly. The flowers' sweet nectar attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed and is often used to flavor teas.

    Currently not available for online purchase.

    Growing & Maintenance Tips:

    Monarda can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade, however. Most Monardas multiply rapidly either by underground stems or self-sowing. In order to keep plants healthy and vigorous, they should be divided at least every three years in the spring. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time. Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with monarda. Some varieties are more resistant to it than others. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.

    Flower Color

    Medium pink

    Foliage Color

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    Plant Spread

    1-2 ft.

    Good Companions

    Coneflower-Purple (Echinacea purpurea), Daylily (Hemerocallis ), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Gayfeather (Liatris spicata), Geranium-Hardy (Geranium sanguineum), Goat's Beard (Aruncus dioicus), Loosestrife-Gooseneck (Lysimachia clethroides), Rose Mallow (Hibiscus ), Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum), Speedwell-Long-leaf (Veronica longifolia), Yarrow (Achillea )

    Plant Height

    2-3 ft.

    Scape Height

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    Hardness Zone

    4-9

    Soil Moisture

    Average and consistent water needs

    Characteristics & Attributes

    Attributes

    Fragrant flowers or foliage, Border, Mass plant, Cut flower or foliage

    Bloom Time

    Mid summer through early fall

    Critter Resistance

    Deer resistant

    Exposure

    Full sun to part shade

    Growth Rate

    Rapid

    Seasonal Interests

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