Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Pardon My Lavender II Bee Balm: Lilac Heads in a Compact Mound
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Pardon My Lavender II bee balm is a compact Monarda with soft lilac-purple flower heads as big as those on tall varieties, 2.5 to 3 inches across, sitting over purplish bracts. It is a stronger, cleaner improvement on the earlier Pardon My Lavender, with more vigor and better disease resistance.
Yes, a lavender farm is recommending a plant called Lavender that is not lavender. We are aware.
Pardon My Lavender II at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Lavender II' |
| Flowers | 2.5 to 3 inch heads, soft lilac purple over purplish bracts |
| Foliage | Glossy deep green, minty when brushed |
| Size | 14 to 18 inches tall, up to 28 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to late summer, peaks late July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant |
| Disease | Above-average powdery mildew tolerance |
A purple echo with different needs
The appeal is obvious: lilac-purple heads that pick up the color of real lavender, carried on into late summer after the lavender's main show. Planted in a bed next to a lavender hedge, it extends the purple theme for weeks and keeps bees, butterflies and hummingbirds in the area.
Just do not plant it in the lavender row itself. Bee balm wants richer, evenly moist soil; lavender wants lean, dry ground. Give each its own strip, perhaps with a path between. The contrast in form is a bonus: shaggy round heads beside slim lavender spikes. Try it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Growing tips
- Moisture first: drought stress invites powdery mildew, so water during dry spells.
- Air: it performs best where air moves freely. Do not crowd it against walls or dense shrubs.
- Room to spread: it can reach 28 inches wide, so allow space at planting.
- Tidying: snip faded heads; cut stems back in fall or leave them for winter.
- Renewal: divide every 2 to 3 years if the center thins.
Tea, garnish and bouquets
Bee balm leaves and flowers are edible and have long been used for herbal tea and as a garnish. The minty, oregano-like aroma is strong, so a few leaves go a long way. The flower heads cut well, and lilac bee balm with dried lavender makes a soft, all-purple arrangement.
Two tray sizes
Choose the 72-cell plug tray for mass plantings or the 20-cell plug tray for a smaller bed. See the product pages for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
What changed from the original Pardon My Lavender?
Version II is more vigorous and has better disease resistance, especially to powdery mildew.
Does it smell like lavender?
No. The leaves smell minty and a little like oregano. Leave the lavender scent to the lavender.
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