Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
mo-NAR-dah bradburiana

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Lamiaceae Family
White to pink purple-spotted flowers, purplish bracts. Burgundy-red fall foliage.
Monarda bradburiana (Eastern Beebalm, also called Bradbury's Beebalm) is a native mint-family perennial found in rocky upland forests, savannas, and limestone glades across much of the eastern and central US. Unlike the later-blooming Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa, this species flowers in late spring to early summer, producing a single dome-shaped cluster of pale pink-to-white flowers spotted with purple atop each stem, framed by pinkish, fringed bracts. It forms an upright, clump-forming mound of aromatic, lightly toothed foliage that often takes on a deep red-burgundy cast as the season progresses.

Pros

  • Early, long-lasting bloom (about a month) ahead of most other Monarda species
  • Good mildew resistance for the genus
  • Tolerant of dry, rocky, or thin soils
  • Attracts bees and other pollinators

Cons

  • Self-seeds readily and can spread beyond its original spot
  • Needs good air circulation to avoid powdery mildew and rust
  • Less showy after its relatively short spring bloom window
Why Like A true Illinois native, though a regional one - it occurs only occasionally in the southern half of the state, on rocky upland forests, savannas, glades, and thin, dry soils, and is rare to absent farther north (not confirmed around Chicago).
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 18 - 24 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 5a - 8b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Dry, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Pink To White With Purple
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 09/15
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!