Someone recently told me that bee balm (monarda) is part of the mint family and can be invasive as mints are know to be. Is that true? I just planted a bunch......
Monarda is a mint?
Both the mints and monardas are in the Lamiaceae family, as are agastache, ajuga, coleus, germander, lambs' ears, lamiums, lavenders, phlomis, the plectranthus's, all the salvias, plus from the herb bed: savory, basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, and thyme! And others...
Most (but not all) are spreading, some (but not most) objectionably so. I'm guessing that my gardens have 75% Lamiaceae -- one of these days I'll count 'em!
This site
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/perennials/MonardCambridgeScarlet.html
has some interesting info on bee balm (Monarda didyma) and says:
"Monarda can be a bit invasive but not hard to control by dividing every third year."
It would be good if you were to click on Preferences and add your location and/or zone, -- might help or encourage someone to give you their personal experience from the same area.
~spin!~
take a little bite of the leaf........ (trust me, won't kill you, they put it in tea all the time)
Thanks for the link Crystal.
I may just eat one Karrie!~G
troy
May 12, 2004
it does not spread as fast as mint and it is very good as an addition to your iced tea
Like mint it can be abused which is nice, since you dont have to worry bout it, I find that the red ones are frighteningly vigorous so Im more wary of them..... a great plant for children since its hard to kill.
Its also called Bergamot..... Earl Grey tea. I love brushing against it and the scent is so pungent.
Do you use the leave or the flower? How much of it do you use to how much water and does it have medical properies?
-Thanks!
Dont know.... sorry. But Id like to know! I guess I know that Earl grey is a black tea with bergamot accent so its not an instant brew....
There was an article in Sunset magazine a couple of months ago about monarda and specifically growing tea- I will have a look.