Size and method of spreading:
At maturity, beebalm is commonly 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. There are shorter cultivated varieties available. They send out underground stem structures (rhizomes) that produce offsets that clump together. They can also spread by self-seeding.
Native geographic location and habitat: (include C-value if appropriate)
Beebalm is native to the Eastern and Midwestern United States, as well as the Pacific Northwest.
Attracts birds or pollinators:
Beebalm is effective at attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and moth caterpillars.
Leaf description:
Beebalm has leaves that are ovate in shape, sometimes with a slight heart-shaped base (cordate). They are typically around 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. The upper leaves may be slightly reddish or purple, but the leaves will mostly be dark green. The edges of the leaves are serrated. Beebalm leaves are attached to the stem by stalks (petioles), and the leaves and petioles are sparsely hairy. They occur in pairs (opposite arrangement) along the stem with each pair occurring at a right angle to the pairs above and below (decussate). The leaves have an oregano-like fragrance.
Flower description:
Beebalm flowers are condensed into showy, red flowerheads that are approximately 3 to 4 inches in diameter. There are cultivated varieties that offer pink, lavender or white flowers. The individual flowers are composed of a two-lipped (bilabiate) petal-like structure (corolla) that has a tubular upper lip and a lower lip that curves slightly downward. Within the flowerheads, the individual flowers occur in whorls. The flower’s reproductive structures protrude slightly from the tubular upper lip. The flowers mature from the center outwards (cyme). Surrounding the bases of the corollas are tiny, reddish or light green, leaf-like tubes (calyxes) with five teeth around the tip. Under the calyxes, surrounding the bases of the flowerheads, are larger, green or reddish, leaf-like bracts.
Fruit description:
After the corollas of the beebalm flowers have fallen, the calyxes persist and will contain the developing fruit. Each calyx will have a tiny, dry fruit that splits into four segments (schizocarp). Each of the four segments are often referred to as nutlets. The nutlets are brown to black and ovoid in shape.
