Go Back Bee Balm Raspberry Wine

Posted: May 7, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'
    Butterfly IconDeer Resistant IconRock Garden IconHummingbird Icon

    Plant Type: Perennials

    Buds that resemble raspberries open to reveal the wine red flowers of this selection. They appear atop the stocky, square stems from midsummer to fall. This variety out-blooms most other monardas. The attractive, dark green foliage exhibits excellent mildew resistance. 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

    Wine red

    Foliage Color

    Dark green

    Plant Spread

    30-42 in.

    Good Companions

    Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida), Coneflower-White (Echinacea purpurea), Daylily (Hemerocallis ), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Gayfeather (Liatris spicata), Grass-Ornamental (Pennisetum orientale), Loosestrife-Gooseneck (Lysimachia clethroides), Rose Mallow (Hibiscus ), Rose Mallow (Hibiscus ), Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum), Snakeroot-Chocolate (Eupatorium rugosum), Speedwell-Austrian (Veronica austriaca), Sundrop-Ozark (Oenothera missouriensis), Yarrow (Achillea)

    Plant Height

    30-42 in.

    Scape Height

    —

    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 to fall

    Critter Resistance

    Deer resistant

    Exposure

    Full sun to part shade

    Growth Rate

    Rapid

    Seasonal Interests

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