What To Avoid Planting With Bee Balm

Before you start planting with wild abandon, take a moment to make sure you’re not putting any of these plants near your bee balm.

Tall Plants

Avoid planting tall plants near your bee balm, like sunflowers, as they can shade out your bee balm and deprive it of the essential sunlight it needs to thrive.

Taller plants can also compete for valuable nutrients in the soil, making it difficult for your bee balm to grow healthily.

Shade-Loving Plants

Bee balm prefers full sun, so avoid planting shade-loving plants nearby, as their contrasting light requirements might create issues.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• astilbes
• hostas
• ferns

Shade-loving plants might suffer from too much sun exposure when they are planted close to bee balm, which can result in stress or damage to the plants.

Aggressive Spreaders

Plants with an aggressive spreading habit should be kept away from your bee balm.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• lemon balm
• mint 
• certain varieties of invasive grasses
• Bee balm itself can spread quite rapidly, so pairing it with other prolific spreaders can result in overcrowded and chaotic planting conditions.

Give your bee balm the space it needs to grow without being outcompeted by assertive neighbors.

Allelopathic Plants

Allelopathic plants release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Keep such plants away from your bee balm to ensure its proper growth and health.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• sunflowers
• sorghum
• black walnut

Waterlogged Soil Plants

Bee balm prefers well-draining soil, so avoid planting it alongside plants that require consistently moist or waterlogged soil conditions.

Examples of these plants to avoid include:

• marsh marigolds
• irises
• ligularias

These differing soil requirements may lead to challenges in properly attending to the needs of each plant if they are placed in the same garden bed.

Plants Susceptible to Similar Pests and Diseases

To maintain a healthy and balanced garden ecosystem, avoid planting bee balm near plants that are susceptible to similar pests and diseases, like zinnias.

Keeping a diversity of plants with different disease and pest challenges can help reduce the risk of widespread issues in your garden.

Cultivating Bee Balm

Bee balm originates from North America and is known for its medicinal properties, vibrant foliage, and its ability to attract bees and butterflies.

To grow bee balm successfully, you should be aware of the specific needs and care it requires.

You should plant bee balm in well-drained soil either in the spring or fall.

While this awesome plant prefers full sun, it can tolerate partial shade, especially when grown in hotter climates.

Aim to give the plant at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

Bee balm thrives in a soil pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, so don’t forget to test and adjust your soil accordingly.

Space your bee balm plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation, helping to prevent common problems like mildew.

When it comes to watering, bee balm prefers consistently moist soil but can also tolerate brief periods of drought.

Overwatering you bee balm plants can lead to root rot, so make sure to strike a balance.

Including compost in your soil mix or incorporating it as a top dressing can help retain moisture while also providing essential nutrients.

During the growing season, it’s crucial to deadhead your bee balm, which means removing faded or spent blooms.

Deadheading encourages healthier growth and more prolific flowering.

Bee balm is hardy to USDA zones 4-9, making it a versatile addition to gardens across a wide range of climates.

One of the main issues you might face when growing bee balm is powdery mildew.

To prevent this problem, it’s essential to maintain good air circulation and avoid overcrowding.

Additionally, choose cultivars that are resistant to mildew, such as Marshall’s Delight or Jacob Cline.

Finally, bee balm can become quite aggressive in the garden as it has a tendency to spread.

To control its growth, you may need to divide the plant every 2-3 years.

Source: bloomingfieldsfarm