Bee Free Bee Balm

Bee-Free is a compact Bee-You™ bee balm with electric purple summer flowers. Its breeder lists the selection at 15–18 inches tall and describes it as resilient to mildew. ## Garden use Place it near the front of a sunny perennial border, in a cutting garden, or in a container where its bright blooms can be seen up close. The [AB Cultivars plant profile](https://www.ab-cultivars.com/?portfolio=monarda-bee-free) describes the flowers as purple and the season as summer, and lists full sun and moist, well-drained soil. AB Cultivars also notes that the Bee-You™ series attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. ## Growing conditions Keep soil evenly moist while the plant establishes, then water when the soil begins to dry. Good air movement and watering at the soil surface help reduce foliar disease pressure. Monarda generally grows best in full sun; the [North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda/) notes that the genus prefers moist, well-drained soil and that some cultivars have mildew resistance. ## Maintenance Remove faded flower heads if you want to reduce self-seeding. Watch the planting edge for rhizome spread, and divide crowded clumps in spring. Leave enough room around the plant for air circulation rather than crowding it between dense foliage.