Ground Cover September [Fall Edition 2016] | Page 3

Thymely Information

~ Submitted by Fran Hedeman,
Herb Society of Dubuque

Bee Balm, the Only True Native Herb to North America

This quarter’s Thymely Information deep red, bright red and even white.
has as its inspiration daily walks
Bee balm likes a sunny, moist location and, as it is a member
with our beloved dogs. Even hot, of the infamous mint family, it will spread. Leave about two
humid July days are more bearable
feet between clumps.
because we are fortunate to walk
The space will soon fill
by a sea of feathery, pale lavender
in! To rejuvenate bee
blooms. The herb that delights
balm that has grown in
us is Monarda didyma, commonly
the same spot for more
called bee balm or bergamot and
than three years, dig up
sometimes Oswego. Most of the
the clump and discard
herbs I have written about over the
the center. Replant the
years have been transported to the
sucker shoots from the
Wild Bergamot or Wild Bee Balm
US from Europe, the Mediterranean,
outside of the clump.
or the Far East. Bee balm, however, is a true native. It was
S