Summer phlox ( Phlox paniculata) is often grown along with bee balm because phlox has a very similar look and height. It is best to establish bee balm in a separate row or to tie the squash up on a trellis. The bee balm can survive in the dappled shade created by the gigantic squash plant leaves but won’t be as effective since they won’t flower. All squash varieties have vigorous growth that can quickly take over a large area. When you grow bee balm with squash, you should be careful to leave plenty of room for the squash to grow. But this isn’t the only thing that make squash some of the best bee balm companion plants! Squash varieties will grow very well in the same soil type as bee balm because these vine plants prefer well-draining soil and they flourish in direct sunlight. The bee balm plant will also attract pollinators that can help increase your squash yields. These beneficial insects will feed on pests like aphids and caterpillars that often attack squash plants. The bergamot fragrance will lure carnivorous insects like lady beetles, green lacewings, and paper wasps to your garden. It can repel all kinds of plant and soil pests. Squash plants ( Cucurbita) like butternut squash, zucchini, yellow summer squash, hubbard squash, acorn squash, and most other varieties can also benefit from the effects that bee balm offers. This way you can easily remove the tomatoes when the harvest season is over or clear out the bee balms if they become too infested. To reduce garden maintenance, it is best to establish them in separate rows close to one another. Bee balm plants can however grow pretty well even if the pH is a little bit higher.īee balm is a perennial while tomatoes are annuals. Tomatoes do however prefer a slightly higher acidic soil type with a pH level of 6.2. These two plants can grow well in the same garden bed because tomatoes also require plenty of direct sun, nutrient-rich soil, and frequent watering in order to flourish. These bee balm companion plants are some of the best when it comes to protecting both crops from harm.īee balm can help protect your tomato plants from common pests like aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, stalk borers, and thrips because it will act as a trap crop to lure these pests away from your tomatoes. Tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum) is a vegetable plant that can use all the help they can get because it is vulnerable to a great many pests and diseases. Let’s do some matchmaking and see what plants to grow alongside bee balm plants. You can establish this herb in partial shade but this will affect its ability to produce flowers and might make the herb vulnerable to powdery mildew.īee balm should be grown in nutrient-rich, moist but well-draining soil and it prefers a neutral pH level. The bergamot plant grows at its best when it is established in full sun with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The easiest way to find the best companions for your garden is by selecting species that have a similar growing requirement as bee balm. There are several types of monarda, including monarda didyma, but all have the same general care guidelines.īee balm is a very versatile companion plant because it can be successfully grown in the same bed as all other bee balm varieties as well as many different annuals, perennials, and herbs. What Plants Work Well With Bee Balm?īefore planning out your landscaping bee balm companions, you need to know how to care for bee balm and its growing conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the best bee balm companion plants to consider for a beautiful and pest-free garden. The best way to enjoy all of the advantages that this herb has to offer is by pairing it with plant species that can benefit from the powerful effects of bee balm. It’s an ideal plant for a pollinator garden. The fragrant scent of this herb can also deter common garden pests. The beautiful flowers that bee balm produces attract lots of beneficial insects while the seed heads attract bird species to your garden. This member of the mint family is often referred to as bergamot, horsemint, and oswego tea.Įven though bee balm is used in fragrant oils (some very strongly scented oils, in fact!) and has many medicinal uses, many gardeners choose to grow it because it can benefit the other plants in your garden so much. Bee balm ( Monarda) is one of the most useful plants you can add to your garden.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |