{"product_id":"eastern-bee-balm-bradburys-bee-balm-monarda-bradburiana","title":"Eastern Bee Balm, Bradbury's Bee Balm | Monarda bradburiana","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf powdery mildew has kept you from growing bee balm before, this is the one. \u003cem\u003eMonarda bradburiana\u003c\/em\u003e is the compact, early-blooming, mildew-resistant member of the genus — a clump-former that stays tidy at 12–18 inches, doesn't run, and blooms in May through July, weeks ahead of other monardas, bridging the gap between spring and summer pollinator plants. The flowers are soft lilac-pink with distinctive purple spots on the lower petals, carried on dark purple stems above oregano-scented gray-green foliage that holds its fragrance well into winter. Hummingbirds, bumblebees, and native bees work it heavily. It's a Xerces Society-recognized plant of special value to bumble bees — and it earns it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLike its Monarda relatives, the leaves and flowers are high in thymol — aromatic, antiseptic, and useful. Indigenous peoples and early settlers used the genus for poultices on wounds and stings, teas for colds, fevers, and digestive complaints, and as an oregano substitute in cooking. The leaves and flowers can be steeped for a pleasant herbal tea or used fresh as a culinary herb. It prefers drier conditions than most bee balms — lean, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade — making it well-suited to the kinds of spots where other monardas would sulk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMonarda bradburiana\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained, dry to average; tolerates lean and rocky ground; keep it on the drier side \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; better too dry than too wet \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–18 inches tall; clumping, non-spreading habit \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e May through July (earlier than other monardas) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8 \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Special value to bumble bees and native bees; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; deer resistant \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible\/Medicinal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves and flowers high in thymol; used for tea, as an oregano substitute, and traditionally for colds, fever, digestive support, and as a topical antiseptic poultice \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandout Qualities:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powdery mildew resistant; earliest-blooming monarda; compact and non-invasive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e⚠️ \u003cem\u003eResearch thoroughly and consult a qualified herbalist for therapeutic use.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New Earth Nursery","offers":[{"title":"3.5\" x 5\" pot","offer_id":42867097043015,"sku":null,"price":13.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0577\/5058\/5415\/files\/monarda_brad_plant.jpg?v=1781121398","url":"https:\/\/newearthnursery.com\/products\/eastern-bee-balm-bradburys-bee-balm-monarda-bradburiana","provider":"New Earth Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}