From: Van Remsen <najames@LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Bee Balm Advice
To: HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU

Early in the spring, I planted six Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) plants in a new bed in my backyard - <snip> They never tried to bloom.
...snip...
... well in deep shade. I felt like my bed was a good combination of part sun/part shade. 

Thanks,

James Abbott
Baton Rouge, LA

James/HUMNET: although sold in local nurseries, I know of no one who has been able to get it to flower in Baton Rouge area -- must be slightly beyond its acceptable heat/humidity regime for flowering.
--
Van Remsen

LSU Museum of Natural Science
Foster Hall 119, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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From: Rrovansek@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] Bee Balm Advice
To: HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU

James,
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) doesn't rgow very well in the deep south climate of Baton Rouge. I think it is simply too hot and humid for too long there. Bee balm is native mainly in the mountains from about north GA northward, and in the lowlands as well from NY or maybe PA north. It'll generally thrive in sun or shade (deep shade is not preferred - you'll get better growth and more floewrs with some direct sun) from the mid south north into Canada. bee balm prefers moist, rich soil ( as do many plants) but unlike many hummer flowers, bee balm actually tends to occur naturally in moist rich soils. Even if you can get it to grow in Baton Rouge, it will probably flower poorly. Same here in southern CA, but here I think the problem is a lack of cold in the winter, since we don't have heat or humidity issues in Huntington Beach.

Ron Rovansek
Huntington Beach, CA

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From: Miriam Davey
Subject: Re: [HUMNET-L] bee balm
To: HUMNET-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU

Humnet:

On Bee Balm for this area (8b): For us, Monarda didyma produced lush,
nearly invasive vegetation but few blooms. My gardening gut feeling is that
its lack of bloom had more to do with day length and maybe even angle of
light than with heat & humidity. Since a fall to late fall bloom was what
was wanted, it wasn't going to fill the bill anyway. A much better hummer
Monarda for this area is the Louisiana native, M. fistulosa. It's lavendar,
perennial, and blooms in summer. It does well in gardens.

MiriamLDavey
BatonRougeLA