Monarda 'Cherry Pops' #1 Bee Balm
| Availability: | Out of stock |
Photo and Description Credit: Walters Gardens
Available April-May 2023
This brand new series of SUGAR BUZZ™ Monardas is perfectly suited to the middle of the flower border. All four unique colors in this series are similar in size, bloom time, and vigor, making it easy for growers to offer the whole lot.
In midsummer, 'Cherry Pops' forms a solid dome of cherry red, 2-2½” flowers on strong, well-branched stems. The dark green foliage forms an upright clump that will fill out containers nicely but won’t run all over the garden. It displays above average resistance to powdery mildew.
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.
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. 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 consistantly moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.
Zone 4-8
Height 16-20 inches
Space 20-26 inch
Partial -Full Sun
Attracts Bees and Hummingbirds and Butterflies
Fragrant flowers and foliage
Mass Planting, Borders, Cut Flower, Containers
