bee balm vs lemon balm

BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests. ... The pretty generic name, Melissa, meaning “bee” in Greek, belongs to lemon balm.

What is bee balm good for?

Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it's often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.

What is lemon bee balm used for?

Lemon bee balm has been used medicinally to treat respiratory illnesses such as colds and coughs. It has a few culinary uses. Most people use it in teas or salads or to flavor desserts. It has also been used in wines and liqueurs.

What does bee balm repel?

Bee Balm (Bergamot) – This beautiful blooming plant has many medicinal and culinary uses – mosquito repellent among them. And unlike many of the other plants listed here, bee balm works to repel mosquitoes not only when crushed but while alive and thriving in the garden.

What does bee balm taste like?

Flavor and aroma: Bee balm tastes and smells like mint with citrusy undertones of orange and lemon. Some say it smells like Earl Grey tea. Use fresh flowers and leaves in fruit, salads, teas, lemonade, pork, poultry, and jellies. Flowers: Add flowers to salads.

Is bee balm poisonous?

Edible Parts

The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads.

Does bee balm bloom more than once?

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) sends up dense clusters of scarlet flowers in midsummer, and it often remains in bloom for a month or longer. The flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to your flower bed, making it a suitable choice for a low-growing shrub or an anchor plant in the garden.

Does bee balm like sun or shade?

Culture: Prefers a well-drained site and a rich soil; will not perform well if planted in wet soils. Plant in full sun to partial shade (in warm climates). In partial shade beebalm tends to spread more readily.

Is bee balm invasive?

Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. ... This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions. Luckily, bee balm is very forgiving.

Where does bee balm grow best?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

Does lemongrass really repel mosquitoes?

Lemon grass has long been used in natural mosquito repellents that contain citronella oil. ... It is the most widely used natural mosquito repellent found in candles, sprays, and lotions. To help deter mosquitoes with its strong fragrance, plant lemongrass along walkways and in locations close to seating areas.

Do ferns repel mosquitoes?

Sweet Fern – Comptonia peregrina – is a natural herb that has many uses. To fight mosquitoes away you can place some Sweetfern into a fire to keep the little bugs away from the fire and the surrounding area. Also can be used as an essential oil spray.

Do lemongrass plants repel mosquitoes?

Lemongrass

This wonderful and bushy grass not only looks great on a patio or in the ground in your yard, but it also makes an excellent natural deterrent of mosquitoes. Citronella, the oil and main ingredient found in natural candles that repel mosquitoes, is found inside lemongrass.

Is bee balm poisonous to dogs?

Bee balm is a very aromatic addition to your perennial shade garden, and one which is safe for dogs. Bee balm plants have bright green foliage and flowers that range from pale pink to scarlet red. ... This plant is non-toxic to dogs.

Is bee balm toxic to cats?

Some other plants that are safe for cats are herbs like bee balm, lavender, thyme and flowers like orchids, snapdragons, cockscomb, and many more. Consult a vet or do research before planting your flower bed.

Are bergamot and bee balm the same thing?

Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. ... Bergamot was identified in the sixteenth century by the Spanish medical botanist Nicolas de Monardes, whose name is used to identify this genus of plants.

Are camellias poisonous to humans?

Camellia Toxicity

Camellias are rated by several groups such as the California Poison Center, the University of California and the University of Connecticut as safe garden plants. ... A safe rating means the plant is not toxic to humans.

Are gladiolus poisonous to humans?

The Gladiolus flower is the birth flower for August. ... The Mediterranean and British Gladiolus flowers were used to treat physical ailments. Some parts of the Gladiolus plant are poisonous if ingested and handling some species may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Is Portulaca poisonous to humans?

What is Purslane Poisoning? Purslane is edible for humans and may be kept in vegetable or herb gardens. ... Scientifically it is known as Portulaca oleracea of the Portulacaceae plant family.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

Should bee balm be cut back after blooming?

Once a stem has finished flowering, trim it back down to the ground or pinch it off. This will encourage the plant to send up another blossoming stem. In the fall or winter, you should prune bee balm after it has died back.

Should bee balm be cut back in the fall?

Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to re-bloom in late summer. After the first frost in the fall, cut stems back to about 2 inches above the soil. (See local frost dates.) Divide bee balm every 2 to 3 years to ensure its vigor.