Red Velvet Bee Balm

Red Velvet Bee Balm (Monarda 'Red Velvet')

Red Velvet Bee Balm (Monarda 'Red Velvet') is a summer-blooming perennial that delivers deep, velvety red flower clusters, aromatic foliage, and strong pollinator activity in sunny borders. The tufted blooms rise above rich green leaves and create a textured, high-impact display that reads well from a distance while still looking detailed up close. Bees and butterflies visit constantly, and hummingbirds often join in, turning the planting into a lively mid to late summer destination. With its rich red color and classic bee balm presence, Red Velvet Bee Balm makes an excellent focal point in mixed perennial borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings where you want true red summer color and plenty of garden movement.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the saturated, velvet-red bloom color, which brings a deeper, more dramatic red to the summer garden and pairs beautifully with purples, blues, and ornamental grasses. Flowers have the classic bee balm firework form, adding texture and an informal cottage-garden feel while still providing a clear focal moment in the border. The foliage is aromatic when brushed, adding a sensory layer along paths and near patios. With sun, consistent moisture, and good airflow, it forms sturdy clumps that return reliably and keep the planting looking energetic through peak bloom.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil with good organic matter; adaptable but performs best with consistent moisture.
• Water: Moderate; water during dry spells, especially in the first season and during bloom.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9.
• Habit: Upright clumping perennial with flowering stems held above aromatic foliage.
• Mature Size: About 30 to 40 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use in bold groups where deep red blooms can anchor summer color and draw the eye from a distance.
• Pollinator Gardens: A strong nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in sunny plantings.
• Cottage and Mixed Perennial Borders: Adds height, texture, and intense color alongside coneflowers, salvias, and grasses.
• Back-of-Border Planting: Taller stems provide vertical structure behind lower perennials and edging plants.
• Cut Flower Use: Fresh blooms add bold color and texture in summer arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist during establishment; water during drought for best flowering and foliage quality.
• Mulching: Apply a light mulch layer to conserve moisture, keeping mulch off the crown.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to extend flowering and keep the planting tidy.
• Airflow: Space plants for good air movement and reduce foliage issues in humid weather.
• Cutback: Cut back stems after flowering or in late fall to refresh the clump for next season.
• Division: Divide every few years if clumps become crowded to maintain vigor and bloom density.

Why Choose Red Velvet Bee Balm?

• Deep Red Blooms: Delivers dramatic summer color with classic bee balm texture.
• Pollinator Magnet: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for constant garden movement.
• Aromatic Foliage: Adds scent and sensory appeal along paths and patio spaces.
• Strong Border Presence: Provides height and structure during peak bloom season.
• Easy Focal Point Value: Brings high-impact color and garden energy with straightforward care.

If you want a bee balm with deep red blooms that energize the border and keep pollinators visiting all summer, Red Velvet Bee Balm delivers bold focal point color and lively garden movement in sunny beds.