Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sugar Buzz® Cherry Pops Bee Balm: Red Blooms Hummingbirds Love
Save
Sugar Buzz® Cherry Pops bee balm carries clear cherry-red flower heads on dark, purplish-tinted stems from midsummer into late summer. Each shaggy head, 2 to 2.5 inches across, is made of tubular florets that ring a central crown on reddish bracts.
Red tubular flowers are a classic hummingbird signal, and Cherry Pops is the one in the Sugar Buzz line they seem to find first.
Cherry Pops at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops' |
| Flowers | Cherry red heads, 2 to 2.5 inches |
| Stems and leaves | Dark purplish-tinted stems, dark green toothed leaves |
| Size | About 20 inches tall, up to 26 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July, long blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant |
Building a hummingbird corner near lavender
Lavender is a bee plant first. Its small flowers are busy with bees all through bloom. Cherry Pops adds the other half of the pollinator crowd: hummingbirds, plus butterflies. Put the two side by side and the garden is busy from top to bottom.
Because bee balm wants richer, more evenly moist soil, plant Cherry Pops in a neighboring bed or a large container a few feet from the lavender, where it can get a regular soak. Red next to purple is a strong combination; a white or pale pink lavender between the two softens it if you prefer a gentler look. Map it out in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care notes
- Soil and water: average to fertile soil, watered during summer dry spells. Drought stress makes powdery mildew worse.
- Mildew: it showed good powdery mildew resistance in trials. Airflow between plants keeps leaves cleaner still.
- Deadheading: remove faded heads to keep plants tidy through its long bloom.
- Dividing: it spreads by shallow rhizomes and grows quickly, so divide every two to three years in spring to keep the center strong.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut back in fall or wait until spring.
In the kitchen and the vase
The leaves and flowers are edible and can be used for herbal tea or as a garnish. The foliage has a strong minty, oregano-like scent when brushed. Red heads also last well in a vase and add a bright punch to a jar of fresh-cut lavender.
Plug tray sizes
Cherry Pops is offered in 72-cell and 20-cell plug trays. See each product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Will it run through my garden?
No. It is a compact, tightly clumping bee balm that fills a container or a spot in the border without wandering through the bed.
Do deer eat bee balm?
Deer tend to avoid it, likely thanks to the strongly scented leaves.
How long does it bloom?
It is a long bloomer, starting in early July and running from midsummer into late summer.
Share how it went in your field