Scarlet Bee Balm / Monarda didyma
Scarlet Bee Balm is an intensely bright red fireworks display of tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies. It thrives in part shade and prefers moist soil but can adapt to medium soil as well. It can spread some in its favored conditions, but it doesn't do so as intensely as Wild Bergamot.
The leaves are very aromatic and can be red-hued at certain points in their growth as well as along the veins. Another name for this species is Oswego Tea because its leaves were traditionally used in teas.
Seed Planting/Germination Key
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark place prior to planting.
Rule of thumb for depth of planting: The maximum depth should generally be half the width of the seed, but many wildflower seeds will germinate well if sown on the surface.
Easy: Generally germinates within 5 to 30 days with no need for cold pretreatment. Keep potting mix or soil consistently moist during the germination period.
Cold(30): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 30 days or outside in late winter.
Cold(60): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 60 days or outside in mid-winter.
Cold(90); Outdoors: Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 90 days or outside in late fall or early winter. The best route is to plant these outdoors in either a pot or directly on the soil.
Approximate Seeds Per Packet: 100
Germination: Easy
Lifecycle: Perennial
Sunlight: Full, Part
Soil Moisture: Moist, Medium
Height: 4
Bloom Period: June-August
Bloom Color: Red
USDA Zones: 4-7
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Larval Host For: Hermit Sphynx Moth, Orange Mint Moth