Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm

Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet')

Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet') is a classic summer perennial known for its vivid scarlet-red blooms, aromatic foliage, and the way it turns a sunny border into a pollinator hotspot. The bold, tufted flower heads rise above rich green leaves and create a strong mid to late summer display that reads from across the yard. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to the nectar-rich blooms, adding constant movement and life to the planting. With its tall, upright presence and intense color, Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm makes an excellent focal point in mixed perennial borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator plantings where you want a big seasonal statement.

Distinctive Features

The standout feature is the saturated scarlet bloom color, which brings true 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 a relaxed, informal feel while still providing a clear, bold focal moment in the border. The foliage is aromatic when brushed, adding a sensory layer along paths and near patios. Given sun, consistent moisture, and good airflow, it forms strong clumps that return reliably and keep the border looking energetic through the peak of summer.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade; best flowering in full sun.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil with good organic matter; adapts to average soils 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 tall flowering stems above aromatic foliage.
• Mature Size: About 36 to 48 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use in bold groups where scarlet 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 Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm?

• True Scarlet-Red Blooms: Delivers bold 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.
• Tall 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 classic bee balm with vivid scarlet blooms that energize the border and keep pollinators visiting all summer, Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm delivers bold focal point color and lively garden movement in sunny beds.