Claire Grace Bee Balm

Claire Grace Bee Balm (Monarda 'Claire Grace')

Claire Grace Bee Balm (Monarda 'Claire Grace') is a summer-blooming perennial that delivers soft lavender to lavender-pink flower heads, aromatic foliage, and strong pollinator activity in sunny borders. The blooms have the classic pincushion look, with tubular florets forming rounded clusters that stand out against glossy green leaves. Bees and butterflies visit constantly, and hummingbirds often join in, turning the planting into a lively mid to late summer destination. With its upright habit and cleaner foliage through the season, Claire Grace Bee Balm makes an excellent focal point in mixed perennial beds and pollinator gardens where you want structure, fragrance, and reliable color without the usual bee balm mess.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the combination of straight, sturdy stems and soft lavender flower color that reads calm and refined in the summer border. Unlike many bee balms that lean or sprawl by midsummer, this selection holds its shape and keeps blooms lifted above the foliage where they are easy to see. The leaves are aromatic when brushed, adding a sensory layer along paths and near patios. It is also known for improved mildew resistance compared to many traditional Monarda types, which helps it stay fuller and more presentable through humid weather.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering and strongest habit in full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained soil; adaptable to average garden soils and tolerant of both slightly dry and evenly moist conditions once established.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly the first season, then during extended dry spells for best flowering.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8.
• Habit: Upright clumping perennial with branching stems and rounded flower heads.
• Mature Size: About 36 to 48 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use in small groups where lavender blooms can anchor summer color and pull the eye into the border.
• Pollinator Gardens: A strong nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in sunny plantings.
• Cottage and Mixed Perennial Borders: Adds height, texture, and a softer summer color note alongside coneflowers, rudbeckias, and grasses.
• Naturalistic Plantings: Works beautifully with native-style palettes for a relaxed, meadow-inspired look.
• Pathside Planting: Place where the aromatic foliage and bloom detail can be enjoyed up close.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Keep evenly moist during establishment; once rooted, water mainly during prolonged drought.
• Airflow: Space plants for good air movement to keep foliage looking clean in humid weather.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms to tidy the plant and encourage continued flowering.
• 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.
• Mulching: Apply a light mulch layer to conserve moisture, keeping mulch off the crown.

Why Choose Claire Grace Bee Balm?

• Correct Lavender Bloom Color: Soft lavender to lavender-pink flowers bring a calmer, more refined summer look.
• Upright, Clean Habit: Stems hold blooms up and help the plant stay neat in the border.
• Improved Foliage Quality: Known for better mildew resistance than many traditional bee balms.
• Pollinator Magnet: Keeps bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds returning through peak bloom.
• Easy Garden Fit: Adds height, fragrance, and reliable summer impact with straightforward care.

If you want a bee balm with true lavender blooms, straighter stems, and strong pollinator value, Claire Grace Bee Balm delivers focal point color and lively garden movement in sunny beds.