Bee Balms Seeds · Zone 4-9 · Full Sun, Part Sun · Height 28”-36” · Bloom Season Early Summer · Features Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterfly’s · Ornamental Use Bed, Boarders, Container · Life Cycle Perennial · Soil Well drained Propagating bee balm plants is a great way to keep them in the garden year after year or to share them with others. They can be propagated by division in spring or fall, by softwood cuttings in late spring, or seeds. Bright flowers and a minty fragrance make bergamot (Monarda) plants ideal for perennial borders. Bergamot is known by several other names, including bee balm, monarda and Oswego tea. The shaggy-looking clusters of flowers begin blooming in midsummer and last for several weeks. These mopheaded flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, making the plant ideal for a wildlife garden. Even better is the fact that bergamot is appropriate for nearly all climate zones. Growing Bee Balm from Seed You can plant bergamot seeds outdoors in early spring while the soil is cool and there is still a chance of a light frost. Cover the seeds with a light dusting of soil. When the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to 18 to 24 inches apart. If you prefer to start the plants indoors, start them eight to 10 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.