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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Powdery mildew resistant and long flowering . Plants grow in moist to wet areas, but will tolerate some drought. Deer tolerant, and a magnet for pollinators.

HABITAT & HARDINESS: This is a cultivar and so it does not exist in the wild.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet,’ commonly known as Bee Balm or Bergamot, is a vibrant and eye-catching perennial celebrated for its stunning scarlet-red flowers and aromatic foliage. This cultivar belongs to the mint

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ thrives in well-drained soils and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. Adequate sunlight is essential for optimal flowering, and the plant can tolerate a variety of soil types.

Bee Balm appreciates consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and benefits from mulching to retain soil moisture. This cultivar is susceptible to powdery mildew, so providing good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent this issue. Regular deadheading of spent flowers encourages continuous blooming throughout the summer. ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ can be divided every few years to rejuvenate the plant and control its size. With its adaptable nature and brilliant blooms, Bee Balm is a relatively low-maintenance perennial suitable for a range of garden settings.

LANDSCAPE USES: Beneficial Insects; Bird Garden; Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden; Cut/Dried Flower Garden; Deer Resistant Plantings; Fragrance Garden; Herb Garden; Hummingbird Garden; Low Maintenance Gardens; Mass/Group; Include this cultivar in pollinator gardens, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, herb gardens, perennial borders, cut flower gardens, meadows, cottage gardens, rain gardens, wildlife gardens and native plant gardens.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ can be paired with Carex vulpinoides; Coreopsis tripteris; Rudbeckia hirta; Liatris spicata; If you are in need of a substitute consider Monarda didyma; Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’; Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’; Agastache foeniculum; Echinacea purpurea; Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’; and Penstemon digitalis

TRIVIA: Monarda ‘Gardenview Scarlet’ was developed at Gardenview Horticultural Park in Strongsville, OH, by the founder, Henry A. Ross (1926-2014).  He hybridized this stunning cultivar, known for its rich red flowers, strong disease resistance, and ability to thrive in gardens across the country.  Henry offered this inspiration: “It has always been my personal philosophy that human beings were put on this world for each of us to use our given talents and abilities to take care of this world; To nurture it and preserve its natural beauty.”