Bee Balm

About this plant

Elevate your garden with Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace', a cultivar of our native Bee Balm renowned for its exceptional beauty and resilience. This standout perennial produces a profusion of shaggy, lavender-pink flowers from mid-summer into early fall, creating a continuous spectacle of color that attracts pollinators. Unlike many other Monarda varieties, 'Claire Grace' boasts excellent resistance to powdery mildew, maintaining its lush foliage throughout the growing season. Its upright, sturdy stems reach an impressive height, making it an excellent choice for the back of borders, meadows, or naturalized areas where it can truly shine. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, 'Claire Grace' is a vital ecological contributor. Its nectar-rich blossoms are adored by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, making it an essential addition to any pollinator garden. Drought-tolerant once established and deer resistant, this is a low-maintenance plant that delivers big impact.

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

Monarda 'Claire Grace' is generally low maintenance. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back old foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor. Provide good air circulation to further deter fungal issues.

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.