- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 32 Inches
- Mature Spread 36 Inches
- Growing Zones 4 - 8
- Use As A Filler In Containers
Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm has giant, deep cherry red blooms that attract any pollinator in the area. The long-lasting flowers produce loads of nectar that hummingbirds and butterflies cannot resist. The fragrant foliage gives a minty note to herbal tea and potpourri blends. While Monarda hybrids are in the mint family, it is a more well-behaved relative that can be easily contained by regular dividing and replanting. Red Velvet is the tallest Monarda in the Upscale™ series and makes a dramatic statement either in the garden or cut fresh for arranging.
The height of Upscale™ Bee Balm makes it a natural addition to the back of a perennial border or pollinator garden. It also works well in a naturalized part of the garden where it can spread freely. As with most plants in the mint family, Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm is rarely bothered by browsing deer or nibbling rabbits. Slugs and snails may be attracted to the tender shoots of this herbaceous perennial early in the spring but are not a problem as the plants grow larger. Low maintenance and drought tolerance is built into Monarda of all varieties. The Upscale™ series is no different.
Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm Care
Bee Balm grows best in a full-sun location with well-drained soil. Soil pH is not important as Bee Balm tolerates slightly acid or slightly alkaline soil equally well. Regular watering to maintain consistently damp soil is essential for the first year after planting. This helps the plant produce a robust root system that will be drought tolerant in following years. Mulching yearly with finely shredded arborist chips or organic compost will help the soil retain moisture and will add nutrients as the mulch decomposes.
Deadheading throughout the growing season helps Monarda to produce more blooms. However, a rejuvenating cutback at mid-summer is the low-maintenance way to encourage a second flush of flowers late in the summer. Cutting the plants back by half will encourage a dense branching structure and many more flowers for a late-summer garden display. Bee Balm should be divided in the early spring as new growth emerges. This gives the newly replanted starts enough time to fully establish before the dormant winter period.
Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm Spacing
Bee Balm is notorious for contracting powdery mildew and fungal rust, which usually don’t kill the plant but make for unsightly foliage and a shortened flowering season. Proper spacing when planting allows for good air circulation around the plants and helps prevent pests and diseases from attacking. The mature height of Red Velvet is 32 inches with a spread of 36 inches. Space plants 3 feet apart on the center when planting in a large grouping.
Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Perennial |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 32 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 36 Inches |
| Spacing: 36 Inches |
| Habit: Clumping |
| Flower Color(s): Red |
| Flower Description: Cherry red |
| Bloom Period: Mid Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: Filler |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Fragrant, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: Upscale™ Red Velvet Bee Balm |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Monarda hybrid |
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 1 year old
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 year old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 year old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2-3 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 3-4 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
