How to Grow Scarlet Bee Balm

Scarlet bee balm blooms with a bright-pink flower that has dozens of spiky petals on top. Its exotic-looking arrangement of petals has made it a favorite with people who want a bright focal point that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to their gardens. The flowers of the scarlet bee balm are edible and will bloom throughout the summer. The flowers are fragrant and were used by Native Americans to make tea.

Instructions

1. Choose a planting area that gets sunlight during part or all of the day. Scarlet bee balm will tolerate either partial sun or full sun. The soil should drain well and should be broken up gently to provide the soil with aeration.

2. Plant your bee balm plants about 10 inches apart. Each hole should be large enough to hold the root ball without crushing the roots or crowding them too closely together. Add some potting soil or peat moss into the soil and place the plant into the hole. Cover it loosely with soil up to the top of the roots and water the plant.

3. Water the plant often enough to keep the soil around the plant moist. Spread mulch around the plant in order to help the soil retain its moisture. This also inhibits weed growth that can sap the soil of nutrients.

4. Fertilize the soil every spring with fish emulsion or another gentle fertilizer. Using a harsher fertilizer can cause burns to the lower leaves of the plant and damage the stems.

5. Cut off any dead flowers before they have a chance to dry up and drop their seeds. This will encourage the plant to keep producing its beautiful flowers in order to seed the area. Cut just below the flower with a pair of gardening shears for the best results.

References

• More About Scarlet Bee Balm