Bee Balm, scientifically known as Monarda, is a native North American plant recognized for its distinctive, spiky flower heads and aromatic foliage. This genus, which belongs to the mint family, is celebrated by gardeners for its ability to attract a wide array of pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. Bee Balm is classified primarily as a perennial plant, meaning it returns to the garden year after year.
The Definitive Answer: Perennial Classification
The majority of Monarda species, such as Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm) and Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot), are herbaceous perennials. This classification means the plant lives for more than two growing seasons, with its above-ground growth dying back to the soil each autumn. The plant’s root system, however, remains alive and dormant beneath the soil surface throughout the cold winter months.
When spring arrives, the established root crowns send up new stems and foliage, restarting the growth cycle from the same root mass. Bee Balm thrives across a broad geographical range, demonstrating its winter hardiness in USDA zones 3 through 9. The ability of the root system to survive sub-freezing temperatures confirms its perennial nature.
How Bee Balm’s Growth Habit Affects Maintenance
The perennial nature of Bee Balm comes with a distinct growth habit that influences its long-term care. Like its mint relatives, Monarda species spread aggressively using underground stems called rhizomes, which form dense, widening clumps.
Because of its spreading habit, Bee Balm requires regular maintenance to maintain plant health and control its territory. Gardeners should plan to divide the root clumps every two to four years, typically in the early spring or fall. Division involves digging up the plant and separating the younger, more vigorous outer sections from the older, less productive center.
Dividing the plant is necessary because the center of an established clump often becomes woody and dies out, which reduces the plant’s overall vigor and bloom production. For winter preparation, the dead stalks are generally cut back to just a few inches above the soil line after the first hard frost, protecting the perennial crown below.
Regional Variation and Annual Treatment
While the genus Monarda is biologically perennial, specific regional climates and certain species introduce nuances to this classification. In regions with extremely cold winters, outside of the plant’s typical USDA hardiness range, a gardener may be unable to successfully overwinter the root system. In these cases, the plant is treated as a temporary garden feature and replanted each spring, functioning as an annual.
Furthermore, a few species and cultivars are naturally shorter-lived or are technically annuals. Monarda citriodora, commonly known as Lemon Bee Balm or Lemon Mint, is a notable exception, often growing as an annual or a biennial depending on the location. For the most common garden varieties, however, the plant’s classification remains a dependable perennial that returns with appropriate care.