Botanical Name: Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’

Common Name: Bee Balm

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 4–9)

Size: 36–48" Tall × 24–36" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming, Rhizomatous Perennial

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

Soil: Moist, Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Clay with Drainage

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture Preferred

Bloom Season: Early to Mid-Summer

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Brilliant Scarlet-Red Blooms, Exceptional Powdery Mildew Resistance, Aromatic Foliage, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Magnet

Uses: Perennial Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Native Plantings, Rain Gardens, Cut Flowers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

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

More About Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’

If there is one Bee Balm variety that has earned a permanent place in countless perennial gardens, it is ‘Jacob Cline.’ For decades, gardeners have relied on this cultivar for its brilliant scarlet-red flowers, vigorous growth, and exceptional garden performance. The large blooms create a dramatic midsummer display, rising above fragrant foliage and providing a burst of color just as many spring-flowering perennials begin to fade. Its strong upright habit allows it to function as both a focal point and a supporting plant within larger perennial borders.

One reason ‘Jacob Cline’ remains so popular is its adaptability to challenging summer conditions. Developed with improved disease resistance in mind, it handles heat and humidity far better than many older Bee Balm varieties. The aromatic foliage adds additional interest even when the plant is not in bloom, and its natural deer resistance makes it a dependable choice in areas where browsing pressure is a concern. For gardeners looking to create a pollinator-friendly landscape with bold color and strong vertical presence, few perennials offer as much value as ‘Jacob Cline.’

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

Over the years, we've grown and evaluated numerous Monarda varieties, and ‘Jacob Cline’ continues to rank among the most dependable. Mature clumps become increasingly impressive with age, producing larger displays each season while maintaining sturdy stems that rarely require support. Even during periods of prolonged heat and summer rainfall, plants continue performing well and retain attractive foliage longer than many traditional Bee Balm selections.

The wildlife activity around this plant is often remarkable. During peak bloom, hummingbirds regularly visit throughout the day, while butterflies and native bees cover the flowers from morning until evening. Beyond its pollinator value, ‘Jacob Cline’ blends beautifully with classic summer perennials such as coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, salvias, Joe-Pye weed, and ornamental grasses. For gardeners seeking a proven, high-impact perennial that combines beauty, durability, and ecological value, this remains one of the finest red Bee Balm varieties available.

Jacob Cline vs. Other Bee Balm Varieties

Jacob Cline stands apart from the other Bee Balm varieties in both scale and presence. Jacob Cline is a true Summer powerhouse, reaching 3–4 feet tall with bold, scarlet-red blooms that command attention in the landscape.

It delivers unmatched visibility and hummingbird activity compared to the smaller Balmy™ Lilac and Balmy™ Rose varieties, making it ideal for the middle or back of perennial borders, native plantings, and larger pollinator gardens. Although all four share excellent mildew resistance and strong pollinator appeal, ‘Jacob Cline’ excels where height, impact, and long-distance color matter most, while the Balmy™ selections shine in refined, space-conscious designs.