Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Leading Lady Plum Bee Balm: The Original Dwarf in Magenta
Save
Leading Lady Plum bee balm is the plant that started the Leading Lady series: a short, compact bee balm with magenta-purple flowers set on nearly black-purple bracts. It starts at least two weeks ahead of typical bee balms, and as the first heads finish, a second, smaller head often forms on the stem just above, so the plant looks stacked and stays in color for five to eight weeks.
Leading Lady Plum at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Monarda 'Leading Lady Plum' |
| Flowers | Magenta purple, dotted darker, on deep blackish-purple bracts |
| Foliage | Glossy dark green, mildew tolerant |
| Size | 10 to 14 inches tall, 22 to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early June, peaks mid-June, lasts 5 to 8 weeks with moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent pollinator plant; deer find the aromatic leaves unappealing |
Purple next to purple
Plum is the moodiest of the series, and that changes how you pair it with lavender. Magenta heads on dark bracts sit in the same color family as a deep purple lavender, so placed side by side the two can melt together. For a tonal, layered look, that may be exactly what you want. For more punch, set Plum beside a pale lavender such as a pink or white type, or put a silver or chartreuse plant between them so the dark bracts stand out.
Either way, keep the bee balm in its own neighboring bed. It wants richer soil and regular water, and lavender wants neither. The Companion Plant Planner helps you test the color layout before you plant.
Planting and watering
- Light: full sun gives the most flowers; part shade is fine, especially in hot afternoons.
- Soil: average to fertile. This compact type does not like to dry out completely.
- Water: regularly, at the base of the plant, ideally in the morning.
- Airflow: it was bred for mildew resistance, and spacing it at its mature width makes that resistance go further in humid weather.
- Grooming: leave the first heads until the upper tier opens, then trim the spent ones.
Winter and dividing
Plum is very winter hardy in Michigan and needs no special cover. Cut the stems back in fall or leave them standing until spring. Because it spreads slowly by shallow rhizomes, the center of an older clump can thin out; lift and divide every two to three years in spring, replanting the vigorous outer pieces.
Cut stems and kitchen uses
The tiered heads and dark bracts make Plum a nice cut flower for small bouquets, and they hold their color well in a vase. Leaves and flowers are edible, as with other bee balms, and are used for herbal tea or as a garnish. Brushed leaves give off a strong minty, oregano-like scent.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Plum different from the other Leading Lady colors?
It is the original of the series, with the darkest bracts and a stacked second tier of flowers that gives it one of the longest shows, five to eight weeks.
Does it rebloom?
Moderately. Most of the season comes from the side branches and upper tiers, so trim only what is truly finished.
Who is the 72-cell tray for?
Growers, landscapers and anyone filling a big bed or a set of containers. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for other trays.
Share how it went in your field