Bee Balm, the common name for the flowering genus Monarda, is a native perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Recognized by its square stems, aromatic foliage, and distinctive shaggy flower heads, Bee Balm is a highly effective lure for wildlife. Its vibrant, long-lasting blooms attract a diverse community of pollinators, transforming the garden into a hub of ecological activity.
Primary Pollinator Magnet
The genus name Monarda is often colloquially known as Bee Balm due to its powerful attraction to Hymenoptera, the order that includes bees and wasps. This plant is a significant resource for native bees, including specialist species like the small black sweat bee, Dufourea monardae, which is only known to forage on Bee Balm. The flowers are particularly well-suited for long-tongued bumblebees, which can effectively navigate the tubular corolla to reach the abundant nectar within.
Honeybees and smaller native bees also frequent the blooms, collecting nectar and pollen. However, some larger insects cannot reach the nectar through the narrow floral tube. These bees sometimes engage in “nectar robbing,” biting a hole at the base of the flower to access the sugary reward without contributing to pollination. The flowers also attract predatory wasps, such as sand wasps (Bicyrtes), which use the nectar as fuel while hunting garden pests like the brown marmorated stinkbug.
Avian and Lepidopteran Visitors
Bee Balm draws in non-bee visitors, especially the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These birds are attracted to the plant’s tubular flowers, which are perfectly shaped for their long beaks and hovering feeding style. Varieties with scarlet or bright red flowers, such as Monarda didyma, are particularly successful at catching the attention of hummingbirds due to their color preference.
The flowers also serve as a rich source of nectar for various Lepidoptera, a group that includes butterflies and moths. Swallowtails and other day-flying butterflies are common sights, utilizing the flower heads as a landing platform while they forage. Large night-flying insects like hawk moths, also known as sphinx moths, are drawn to the nectar, often visiting the flowers at dusk. After the vibrant petals have faded, the seed heads remain, providing a source of food for songbirds that visit the garden in the late fall and winter months.
Plant Features That Drive Attraction
Bee Balm’s attraction power lies in its flower structure and chemical composition. The flower features a bilaterally symmetric, two-lipped corolla that forms a slender, elongated tube. This tubular shape restricts access to the nectar at the base, funneling the resource toward long-tongued insects and hummingbirds.
The plant produces a high volume of sugar-rich nectar. Studies show a direct correlation between the length of the floral tube and overall nectar production, ensuring a payoff for specialized pollinators. The plant’s characteristic aroma comes from volatile oils, such as thymol and carvacrol, concentrated in the foliage. These compounds act as olfactory attractants for beneficial insects while simultaneously making the plant unappealing to browsing mammals like deer and rabbits.