Bee Balm Monarda didyma Dancing Bird = 'Allmobird' (PBR)
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ABOUT
Commonly known as Bee Balm, the Monarda didyma Dancing Bird 'Allmobird' is a vibrant perennial that boasts a striking appearance, adding a touch of whimsy to any garden. The plant features lush green foliage, which forms a dense and bushy backdrop to its showy flowers. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, releasing a pleasant fragrance. The most distinctive feature of Bee Balm is its flowers. They are composed of tubular petals that gather to form a shaggy, pompom-like bloom. Each flower cluster is a burst of color, typically in shades of bright red, creating an eye-catching display that resembles a feathery plume. The flowers are arranged in whorls that sit atop sturdy stems, surrounded by small, leafy bracts that add texture and depth to the blooms' presentation. Bee Balm flowers are a magnet for pollinators, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, who are drawn to their vivid color and rich nectar. The plant blooms profusely throughout the summer, providing a long season of interest and activity in the garden. Overall, Monarda didyma Dancing Bird 'Allmobird' is appreciated for its ornamental flowers, which add a bold statement to gardens with their flamboyant shape and stunning color, as well as its ability to attract a variety of beneficial wildlife.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Bergamot, Crimson Beebalm, Red Bergamot.
Common names
Monarda didyma
ToxicityTo humans
Monarda didyma, commonly known as Bee Balm, is not considered toxic to humans. It is actually used in traditional herbal remedies. No known toxicity or symptoms of poisoning are associated with ingestion of this plant by humans.
To pets
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) is not toxic to pets. It is commonly grown in gardens and does not pose a risk to dogs, cats, or other domestic animals if they happen to ingest parts of the plant. There are no known symptoms of poisoning from Bee Balm in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Monarda didyma, commonly known as Bee Balm, is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, helping to pollinate the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its vibrant red flowers, Bee Balm adds striking color and visual interest to any garden or landscape.
- Fragrant Foliage: The plant's leaves have a pleasant fragrance which can add a sensory experience to the garden.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, Bee Balm is reasonably resistant to drought, making it suitable for various climate conditions.
- Disease Resistance: The 'Allmobird' variety has been cultivated for improved resistance to powdery mildew, a common problem in Monarda species.
- Easy Propagation: Bee Balm can be easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
- Culinary Uses: The leaves and flowers are edible, with a taste reminiscent of mint and oregano, and can be used in teas and culinary dishes.
- Erosion Control: Bee Balm's root systems help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it a practical choice for sloped areas.
Medical Properties- Antiseptic: The essential oil of Monarda didyma has been used for its antiseptic properties.
- Carminative: It may help to relieve flatulence or gas in the digestive tract.
- Diaphoretic: The plant has been used to induce sweating and is thought to help in fever reduction.
- Aromatherapy: The scent of Monarda didyma is used in aromatherapy for relaxation and stress relief.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary Ingredient: The leaves and flowers of Bee Balm can be used to add a minty flavor to dishes, especially in salads and as a garnish for desserts.
- Natural Fabric Dye: Bee Balm flowers have been traditionally used to create a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a range of colors from pink to soft lavender depending on the mordant used.
- Companion Planting: Bee Balm, with its strong scent, can help to repel certain pests and attract beneficial insects, making it useful in companion planting to promote a healthy garden ecosystem.
- Decorative Displays: The bright, showy flowers of Bee Balm make them suitable for use in dried floral arrangements and wreaths, where they retain their shape and color.
- Herbal Steam Inhalations: The aromatic leaves of Bee Balm can be added to boiling water for a steam inhalation to help clear nasal passages and support respiratory health.
- Garden Bordering: Bee Balm's dense foliage and height make it ideal for use in garden borders and as a natural fencing option to delineate spaces.
- Aroma Therapy: Dried Bee Balm leaves and flowers can be used in potpourri or sachets to create a calming and soothing aroma in the home.
- Edible Landscaping: Due to its vibrant flowers and ease of growth, Bee Balm can be used in edible landscape designs to provide both aesthetic and culinary benefits.
- Honey Bee Foraging: Bee Balm is a favorite of honey bees, and planting it can support local bee populations and contribute to the production of uniquely flavored honey.
- Erosion Control: Bee Balm's root structure helps prevent soil erosion, making it useful for planting on slopes and areas where soil conservation is necessary.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bee Balm is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bee Balm is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Attractiveness: The Bee Balm is known for its showy flowers that attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, symbolizing allure and charm.
- Healing: Historically, Bee Balm has been used for its medicinal properties, representing healing and the soothing of ailments.
- Balance: With its harmonious growth habit and the equilibrium it brings to the garden ecosystem, the Bee Balm symbolizes balance and stability.
- Vibrancy: The bright red flowers of the Bee Balm reflect vibrancy and energy, symbolizing enthusiasm and the joy of life.
- Remembrance: Because of its distinctive and lingering scent, Bee Balm is often associated with memories and the act of reminiscing or honoring the past.
WaterBee Balm 'Allmobird' should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Water the Bee Balm once a week with approximately one gallon of water, ensuring the water reaches the root zone. During particularly hot or dry periods, increase watering frequency to twice a week. Decrease watering in cooler or rainy conditions to prevent over-saturation. Encourage deep root growth by watering less frequently but more deeply, promoting better drought resistance.
LightBee Balm 'Allmobird' thrives in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Planting it in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade can help protect it from the intense heat of late day, especially in hotter climates.
TemperatureBee Balm 'Allmobird' does well in a wide range of temperatures, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. It can survive minimum temperatures down to -30°F and withstand summer highs typically up to 90°F. The ideal growing temperature for Bee Balm is between 60°F and 70°F.
PruningPrune Bee Balm 'Allmobird' to promote health and to encourage more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers continuously throughout the blooming season to encourage new blooms. Prune back the entire plant to a few inches above the ground in the fall after the first frost, which helps to prevent powdery mildew and encourages a fresh flush of growth in the spring.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBee Balm prefers soil that is rich in organic matter with good drainage. The ideal pH range for Bee Balm is between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, compost, and peat moss can create a suitable environment.
RepottingBee Balm, being a perennial, does not typically require frequent repotting. It's best to repot or divide the plant every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and control its spread.
Humidity & MistingBee Balm thrives in average humidity levels but can tolerate more humid conditions. It is not particularly sensitive to the humidity levels and adjusts to normal outdoor variations.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, ensure good airflow, and maintain moist soil.
Outdoor
Plant in sunny spot with well-draining soil and space for airflow.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleMonarda didyma, commonly known as bee balm, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination, progresses to a seedling with the emergence of its first true leaves. As it matures, it enters a vegetative stage, developing a robust stem and a leaf system, performing photosynthesis and accumulating resources. The next crucial stage is the flowering period, when the bee balm produces vibrant, tubular red flowers that attract pollinators, a key phase for reproduction. After pollination, the plant sets seeds, which are eventually dispersed to give rise to new plants. Following seed set, in regions with cold winters, bee balm will enter dormancy, with above-ground plant parts dying back and the plant surviving underground through rhizomes or as seeds. With the return of warmer weather, the perennial bee balm regrows from its rhizomes, completing its life cycle and preparing for another season of growth and reproduction.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Bee Balm, known botanically as Monarda didyma 'Allmobird' (PBR), commonly propagates through division, which is ideally undertaken in either the spring or autumn when the plant is not in bloom. The most popular method involves gently digging up an established clump of the plant with a shovel, ensuring that a good portion of the root system is intact. This clump should then be carefully separated into smaller sections, each with at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. The new divisions should be planted in soil that has been amended with compost to a depth where the base of the stem is at soil level. Care should be taken to space each division about 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 centimeters) apart to allow adequate room for growth. Water the new divisions thoroughly to help establish them and ensure that they are kept moist, especially during their first growing season.
