Botanical Name: Monarda didyma ‘Balmy™ Purple’

Common Name: Bee Balm

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 4–9

Size: 10–14" Tall × 12–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Mounded, Clump-Forming Perennial

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best Flowering in Full Sun)

Soil: Moist, Well-Drained Soil; Adaptable to Most Garden Soils

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture Preferred

Bloom Season: Early to Mid-Summer

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Rich Purple Blooms, Excellent Powdery Mildew Resistance, Aromatic Foliage, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Containers, Front of Perennial Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Small Spaces

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited

See our complete Bee Balm Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Monarda ‘Balmy™ Purple’

Monarda ‘Balmy™ Purple’ is a compact, refined bee balm bred specifically for smaller gardens and container use, offering the classic look and pollinator power of Monarda without the height or spreading habit of traditional varieties. Its rich, saturated purple flowers form dense, rounded heads that sit neatly above aromatic foliage, creating a bold midsummer display in a much smaller footprint.

Blooming in early to midsummer, ‘Balmy™ Purple’ provides strong color during a key transition period in the perennial garden. Despite its reduced size, it delivers impressive nectar value, drawing in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with ease. The foliage remains clean and attractive thanks to excellent resistance to powdery mildew—an essential trait for Monarda in warm, humid climates.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Balmy™ Purple’ has proven exceptionally consistent and well-behaved. It maintains its compact shape without flopping, spreading aggressively, or requiring frequent division. Even in tighter plantings and containers, airflow remains adequate, helping foliage stay healthy deep into summer.

We especially appreciate how versatile this variety is. It fits naturally at the front of perennial borders, performs beautifully in patio containers, and mixes easily with coneflowers, salvias, coreopsis, ornamental grasses, and other pollinator-friendly perennials. It’s an ideal choice for gardeners who love bee balm but don’t have room for traditional, taller selections.

Balmy™ Purple vs. Other Bee Balm Varieties

Among our three Balmy™ varieties, Balmy™ Purple is the boldest and most saturated in color. Its deep purple blooms create the strongest visual contrast in the garden, especially when paired with lighter companions. Compared to Balmy™ Lilac and its softer, pastel tones and Balmy™ Rose warm pink hues, Purple reads more dramatic and modern, making it a strong choice when you want definition and depth at the front of a border or in containers.

When compared to Jacob Cline Monarda, Balmy™ Purple is dramatically different in scale and intent. ‘Jacob Cline’ is a tall, commanding perennial meant for the middle or back of the border, while Balmy™ Purple stays compact, tidy, and highly controlled. Although both offer excellent pollinator value and strong mildew resistance, Balmy™ Purple is better suited for small gardens, edging, and containers where height and spread must be managed. Gardeners choose Balmy™ Purple when they want bold color without the bulk.