Image of Monarda didyma
Source: OWSL
image of Flowering plant
Monarda didyma
Scarlet Beebalm
Monarde écarlate

Obsolete Names

beebalm
bergamot
fragrant balm
mountain mint
Oswego tea
monarde pourpre
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Red Bloom period: Jul - Aug
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Monarda didyma
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Monarda didyma

  • Pyrausta signatalis (Raspberry Pyrausta)

Specialized Bees Supported by Monarda didyma

  • Dufourea monardae
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
  • Lobelia cardinalis (Red Cardinal Cultivar)
  • Mentha (Non-Native Mints)
  • Monarda (Beebalm cultivars)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Can be sown in spring in warm soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
  • Harvesting mean: Put pods in food processor or blender and blend seeds, and strain seeds using a strainer
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.