Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Leading Lady Amethyst Bee Balm: Early, Compact and Freckled
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Leading Lady Amethyst bee balm starts blooming weeks before most bee balms, typically in the first week of June in Michigan, and carries on for about five weeks into midsummer. Its rounded heads of light amethyst-purple flowers have paler centers, and the lower lips are freckled with small dark purple spots. The plant stays short and tidy, about 10 to 14 inches tall and 18 to 22 inches wide.
Most bee balms are border-middle plants. This one is happy in the front row, which is a nice change of pace.
Leading Lady Amethyst at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' |
| Flowers | Light amethyst purple with dark freckles, on purplish bracts |
| Foliage | Medium to dark green, slightly glossy, aromatic |
| Size | 10 to 14 inches tall, 18 to 22 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early June, peaking mid-June, about five weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4-8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; deer resistant |
Early nectar near the lavender
Leading Lady Amethyst's early start is its gift to a lavender garden. It is in bloom in early June, as lavender is just building buds, so bees, butterflies and hummingbirds have something to visit before the lavender opens, and the two overlap as June goes on. Its soft amethyst color sits right beside lavender purple.
Like all bee balms, it prefers richer, more evenly moist soil than lavender, so set it in a neighboring bed or along a watered edge rather than among the lavender plants. Its small size makes it an easy front-of-border plant there. Plan it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Water: regular watering. This compact type does not like to dry out completely.
- Soil: average to fertile and well drained.
- Airflow: good air movement keeps the glossy leaves healthy. It was bred for above-average mildew tolerance.
- After bloom: trim spent flower heads to tidy the plant.
- Dividing: it spreads by shallow rhizomes. Divide every two to three years to keep the center vigorous.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut back in fall or leave stems until spring.
In containers
A compact bee balm is a great container plant for a sunny patio. Pair a pot of Leading Lady Amethyst with a separate pot of lavender, since each can then get the water it prefers, and enjoy the minty, oregano-like scent of the leaves when you brush past.
The 72-cell plug tray
Leading Lady Amethyst is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, well suited to edging, mass planting or potting up for containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it edible?
Like other bee balms, its leaves and flowers are edible and are used for herbal tea or as a garnish. Use plants grown without garden chemicals.
Is it a good cut flower?
Yes. Its short stems suit small arrangements, where the freckled flowers can be seen up close.
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