Is my lemon bee balm sterile?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

My lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora, no named cultivar, just regular old lemon bee balm) overwintered from last year. It didn't get around to blooming last year because it got shaded out and only grew a few inches tall. I transplanted it in early fall, where it put on some growth, but it didn't have time or the inclination to bloom at that point.

This year, after an exceptionally mild winter, it came back with a vengeance in its new, sunny spot, but it hasn't bloomed yet. It seems to be forming bracts, but I can't tell whether this is the plants preparing to form flower stalks or the plants forming flower stalks and failing to produce flowers. When I pull apart the bracts and look down inside, there appears to be no sign of petals, buds, etc. Most sources say that it should be blooming by now.

Is this normal behavior? Am I just being impatient? Or is the plant unlikely to produce actual flowers?

Here's what it's forming:

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gorbelly
Original Author

9 years ago

It is Monarda citriodora. I believe in the midwest it's more likely to be called horsemint or lemon mint. And sometimes, it's called lemon bergamot, although the Monarda that actually has a bergamot aroma is Monarda fistulosa, called "wild bergamot".

M. citriodora is an annual Monarda, although it can sometimes rarely, as in my case, overwinter and come back for another year.

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=moci
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarda_citriodora
http://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Monarda+citriodora

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Comments (8)

lisaw2015 (ME)
9 years ago
I have heard of lemon balm & bee balm, ( and this isn't either) but not lemon bee balm...
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gorbelly
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm starting to think I just need to be patient. The lowest bracts are now turning purplish on some of the stalks and also turning downward. Perhaps the flowers will come soon and I'm just not recognizing what the buds are supposed to look like, as I've never grown this variety before and had it bloom.
gorbelly
Original Author
9 years ago
I also have scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma, a perennial) in my garden, but this is my first year and it's from seed, so it may not bloom until next year.
gorbelly
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ha--I just needed to be patient. First flower popped between my last post and my late afternoon garden check. Sometimes, I overthink gardening.
jennifer_champagne80
9 years ago
I'm growing lemon bee balm this year too. I've been wondering what color the flowers will be. Now I know! Thanks for the pic:)
gorbelly
Original Author
9 years ago
Here it is after more blooms. I grew it for the pollinators, but I find it pleasing as well!
lisaw2015 (ME)
9 years ago
gorbelly - thanks for the info, it's beautiful!