Pruning bee balm
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Bee balm often retains decorative heads after flowering. With perennial border Monarda, choose between deadheading for further flowers and leaving healthy seed heads. Months are a guide for the Netherlands and Belgium; follow actual growth and flowering.
Bee balm — October
Check this first
Bee balm needs no complete cutback now. Retain healthy green foliage or dry heads and selectively remove clearly diseased dying material.
Pay attention to this
- Spare coloured tubular flowers and unopened side buds.
- Retain healthy leaves; a white mildew coating also calls for attention to air circulation and moisture.
- Dispose of clearly diseased dying material separately and clean tools.
Frequently asked questions
- Does deadheading help bee balm?
- In Monarda didyma and many border hybrids it can extend flowering. Cut above a healthy side shoot and do not expect a guaranteed second flush.
- Does mildew mean cutting the clump bare?
- Not automatically. Assess the damage and selectively remove severely affected dying material; adequate soil moisture and space remain important.
- Does this calendar apply to annual Monarda?
- No. Spring tidying is intended for perennial border plants that return from the base. Check the label for annual or short-lived species.