Bee Balm

About this plant

A truly eye-catching perennial, Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' commands attention with its striking scarlet-red blooms that burst forth in mid-summer, creating a spectacular display in any garden. This particular cultivar is celebrated not only for its brilliant color but also for its exceptional resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue with other Bee Balm varieties, ensuring a healthier and more beautiful plant. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, 'Jacob Cline' is an ecological powerhouse, acting as a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an essential addition to pollinator gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes. Its aromatic foliage, when bruised, releases a delightful minty scent, adding another sensory layer to your outdoor space. Ideal for borders, meadow gardens, or mass plantings, this Bee Balm thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil. It's a low-maintenance choice that offers high impact, promising years of vibrant color and a bustling ecosystem right in your backyard.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Plant in well-draining soil with good air circulation. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and prevent self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring to maintain vigor. Water regularly, especially during dry periods.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.