End up, after much research and conversations with nurseries and youtubers, most Bee Balm is only good for bumble bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. NOT FOR HONEY BEES> There are only two types in the same family one is Wild Bergomot, which bee love, but learned that is is very difficult to start theses plant being that they always need to be kept moist. So I went with Black Eyed Susans which honey bees thrive on. They are super easy to take care of and are even drought tolerant. thanks for your help and for getting back with me. Blessings.
That is very curious, every source I just looked at said that bee balm is a favorite of honeybees specifically. From the Great Plains Master Beekeepers site, they mentioned to have a variety of plants and bloom times so your bees have food year round. Hope your bees are happy, Mary 🐝🐝🐝
@@RockyMountainGardens I'm 100% with you here for I too looked up google and every site said what you mentioned above. YET, after speaking with three nurseries and a bee balm specialist on youtube, that the only related plant that is in the Bee Balm family is Wild Bergamot. They actually get their name from ancient time where they used this plant as a balm to relieve inching and bee and wasp stings. I have this plant on my block and often see butterflies and bumble bees but never honey bees I believe the reasoning is that the actual bee balm plants flowers are very deep, and only long tongue insects like butterflies, and bumble bees can reach it--along with hummingbirds. I'm actually think I'm better off going with the Black Eyed Susans when I know honey bees love because they are easy to grow and drought tolerant. I appreciate you.
That is very interesting about the Bee Balm flowers are very deep. Thank you for sharing what you have learned. I always appreciate learning more about gardening. 😀🌼🐝
@@RockyMountainGardens Your welcome. I if you look at the actually flower is has an entrance then a long curved tube shape. Which hummingbirds and bumblebees and butterflies can easily get. But the honey bee is so much smaller. It seems if you want to have bees take advantage of this plant you have to order to species Wild Bergamot. thanks again.
Out Philly in the suburbs I have seen less than 10 honey bees. Mostly carpenter and wasps are my pollinators . 2 butterflies and I’ve got 70 milkweed seedlings !
Hi, Brad. Yes, pollinators love bee balm. Plant them in a full sun location for the best blooming. Amend your soil with compost before planting, keep the soil moist and watch for powdery mildew. Deadhead blooms for a second blooming in late summer. I do have a video on treating powdery mildew that you could check too. Thank you for your great question and good luck!🍀 Take care, Mary 🌷🌿🦋
This is the exact video I was looking for!!! Thank you so much!
Hello, Brook, I am very happy if you found my video helpful. 💞 Happy Spring to you. 🌸🍃🦋
End up, after much research and conversations with nurseries and youtubers, most Bee Balm is only good for bumble bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. NOT FOR HONEY BEES> There are only two types in the same family one is Wild Bergomot, which bee love, but learned that is is very difficult to start theses plant being that they always need to be kept moist. So I went with Black Eyed Susans which honey bees thrive on. They are super easy to take care of and are even drought tolerant. thanks for your help and for getting back with me. Blessings.
That is very curious, every source I just looked at said that bee balm is a favorite of honeybees specifically. From the Great Plains Master Beekeepers site, they mentioned to have a variety of plants and bloom times so your bees have food year round. Hope your bees are happy, Mary 🐝🐝🐝
@@RockyMountainGardens I'm 100% with you here for I too looked up google and every site said what you mentioned above. YET, after speaking with three nurseries and a bee balm specialist on youtube, that the only related plant that is in the Bee Balm family is Wild Bergamot. They actually get their name from ancient time where they used this plant as a balm to relieve inching and bee and wasp stings. I have this plant on my block and often see butterflies and bumble bees but never honey bees I believe the reasoning is that the actual bee balm plants flowers are very deep, and only long tongue insects like butterflies, and bumble bees can reach it--along with hummingbirds.
I'm actually think I'm better off going with the Black Eyed Susans when I know honey bees love because they are easy to grow and drought tolerant. I appreciate you.
That is very interesting about the Bee Balm flowers are very deep. Thank you for sharing what you have learned. I always appreciate learning more about gardening. 😀🌼🐝
@@RockyMountainGardens Your welcome. I if you look at the actually flower is has an entrance then a long curved tube shape. Which hummingbirds and bumblebees and butterflies can easily get. But the honey bee is so much smaller. It seems if you want to have bees take advantage of this plant you have to order to species Wild Bergamot. thanks again.
Out Philly in the suburbs I have seen less than 10 honey bees. Mostly carpenter and wasps are my pollinators . 2 butterflies and I’ve got 70 milkweed seedlings !
Hello, I just purchased 5 roots of bee balm for my honey bees. I hope they like this flower. How would you recommend me planting it? Thank you so much
Hi, Brad. Yes, pollinators love bee balm. Plant them in a full sun location for the best blooming. Amend your soil with compost before planting, keep the soil moist and watch for powdery mildew. Deadhead blooms for a second blooming in late summer. I do have a video on treating powdery mildew that you could check too. Thank you for your great question and good luck!🍀 Take care, Mary 🌷🌿🦋