Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Sugar Buzz® Pink Frosting Bee Balm: A Short, Pastel Pink Blanket
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Sugar Buzz® Pink Frosting bee balm is one of the shorter members of its group, about 14 to 16 inches tall. In midsummer it covers itself so densely with soft pastel pink heads that the dark green leaves all but disappear beneath them.
The name fits. From a distance it looks like someone frosted the border.
Pink Frosting at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Pink Frosting' |
| Flowers | Pastel pink heads, 2 to 2.5 inches, on pale pink bracts |
| Foliage | Dark green, toothed, minty when brushed |
| Size | 14 to 16 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July, about 5 to 6 weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant |
A soft pastel palette with lavender
Not every garden wants hot pink. Pink Frosting's pale, sugary shade belongs in a soft, cottage-style palette with lavender purple, white and silver. Pair it in your planning with pink or white lavenders for a bed that looks like a watercolor.
Its short height is what makes it useful. Taller bee balms belong in the middle or back of a border; Pink Frosting fits the front, so it can face a lavender bed across a path without blocking the view. Keep it in its own bed with richer, evenly moist soil, since lavender's lean, dry ground would leave it stressed and mildew-prone. Work out the layout with the Companion Plant Planner.
Small-space and front-of-border care
- Spacing: it spreads to about 18 to 24 inches. Do not let it crowd neighbors; airflow keeps leaves clean.
- Water: regular, especially in summer dry spells. Drought stress makes powdery mildew worse, though this cultivar was bred to resist it.
- Edging: because the flowers hide the foliage, it makes a tidy, colorful edge with no bare stems showing.
- Dividing: spreads by shallow rhizomes; divide in spring every two to three years.
- Winter: very hardy in Michigan. Cut back in fall or leave stems until spring.
Flowers for the table
Short stems still make sweet little bouquets. Pastel pink heads and a few stems of lavender in a small jar or teacup make an easy table arrangement. The leaves and flowers are edible too, used for herbal tea or as a garnish.
Plug tray
Pink Frosting is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, plenty for edging a long path or planting a row of containers. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it bloom?
About five to six weeks from midsummer, starting in early July.
Is it short enough for a window box?
At 14 to 16 inches it suits containers well. Use a deep box so the soil does not dry out too quickly.
Will bees find it?
Yes. It is rated excellent for pollinators, and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit throughout bloom.
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