View more pictures

Hide images

Nelly A.

Monarda Squaw - Beebalm

Monarda Squaw
Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Horsemint

5 reviews

3,6/5

3 reviews

0 reviews

1 reviews

Overall, the quality of the plants received was satisfactory. Unfortunately, the Monarda 'Squaw' was missing from the order.

Gilles, 25/11/2025

Leave a review → View all reviews →

8/9 cm pot

From 5,90 €

Price per item 6,90 €
Price for 3: 17,70 € i.e 5,90 € each

Sku: 88748

in stock

Available to order Dispatched on

Out of stock • Plan. • Order delay: days

This item cannot be shipped to the selected country ()

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

This monarda is quite resistant to powdery mildew and has bright scarlet, eye-catching flowers all summer long. Its shiny, finely carved, ruffled petals, top small green-purple bracts. This tall perennial reaches maturity within a year, has a mint fragrance and is loved by butterflies and pollinating insects. It is adorned with vibrant green, hairy, toothed leaves. 'Squaw' is easy to grow in sunny or cool woodland areas and makes an excellent cut flower.

Flower size

6 cm

Height at maturity

80 cm

Spread at maturity

45 cm

Exposure

Sun

Hardiness

Hardy down to -29°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time February, October

Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time July to August

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

Monarda Squaw, also known as bergamot, is a variety with red flowers that is quite resistant to powdery mildew. It has intense, eye-catching red flowers all summer long. It has shiny, finely cut, ruffled petals above small green-purple bracts. It is adorned with vibrant green, hairy and toothed leaves. This tall, vigorous perennial will reach maturity within a year, with a minty fragrance, beloved by butterflies and pollinators. It is easy to grow in moist and fertile soil, in partial shade or morning sun. It is also an excellent cut flower.

Monarda Squaw belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes numerous medicinal and aromatic plants. It is one of the many hybrids obtained through cross-breeding between two wild species, Monarda didyma, the Bee Balm, and Monarda fistulosa, both native to North America. It is a herbaceous, upright perennial, reaching 80 cm (32in) high and a spread of 45 cm (18in). It flowers for 8 weeks in the heart of summer with unique, ruffled blooms. They are composed of small flowers 4 to 5 cm (2in) in length, surrounded by bracts resembling small leaves, and have an upright upper lip and a more spread-out lower lip divided into three lobes, perched on upright stems. The flowers are loved by bees and pollinators. The healthy, bright green foliage is highly aromatic, releasing a minty scent when crushed. The leaves are opposite, veined, and toothed, 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long, and often attract insects. This plant covers the ground in two or three years, spreading through rhizomes without becoming invasive. It is hardy and can also be very long-lived if the growing conditions are good.

Monarda Squaw will pair well with summer-flowering perennials with vibrant colours like Helianthus or, pastel colours like Phlox. Plant it in groups of six to create a beautiful mass of flowers and combine it with orange and yellow daylilies. In late summer, it will accompany Asters lateriflorus, Campanulas lactiflora, Echinaceas, and other perennial plants. Its flowers are also lovely and long-lasting in bouquets.

Monarda contains essential oils similar to those of thyme and its fresh or dried leaves or flowers can be used to make herbal tea. The young shoots can also be used in salads or stuffing.

Report an error about the product description

Family sheet

Modified the 16 September 2025 by Valérie 13 min.

Monarda: planting, growing and care

Read article

<a href="https://en.promessedefleurs.eu/perennials/perennials-by-variety/monarda-bee-balm.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monarda</a> is a lovely perennial plant that offers a profusion of frilly, original, and decorative flowers in summer. Among the most well-known species is Monarda didyma, a species whose highly aromatic leaves were used in infusions by Native Americans, earning it the names "Oswego Tea" and "Red Bergamot". Very popular, Red Monarda is also one of the varieties favoured by gardeners, but the different species and cultivars come in a wide range of colours from white (M. 'Schneewittchen') to mauve (M. fistulosa menthifolia) and pink (M. 'Croftway Pink'). In addition to its charming, melliferous flowers, which are highly appreciated by bees, Monarda also has the advantage of bearing a highly aromatic foliage. Its scent combines mint and bergamot… hence its third name, "Bergamot Monarda"! It is highly valued in infusions but also in cooking, where it enhances many dishes, sauces, or beverages. Its medicinal properties, particularly antibacterial and digestive, are also used in herbal medicine. In the garden, Monardas are easy to use. They suit many garden styles, bringing colour and whimsy. They shine just as brightly at the edge of a vegetable garden, in an herb garden, or in a mixed border of an English garden. Natural and wild, they are simply perfect alongside grasses, Asters, and Echinaceas in naturalistic style gardens. [caption id="attachment_38860" align="aligncenter" width="1172"]<img class="wp-image-38860 size-full" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/monarde-plusieurs-couleurs.jpg" alt="Monarda, several colours." width="1172" height="233" /> Monardas come in a beautiful palette of colours.[/caption] Hardy and low-maintenance, Monarda is an easy perennial that thrives in full sun and adapts to a wide range of soils. It only fears very poor soils (a spring application of compost is sufficient for its needs), wet lands, and confined spaces that promote the appearance of powdery mildew, the only benign disease known to affect it. Once established, it is a perennial that spreads quickly, forming a large clump. It is sometimes criticised for this dynamism, but rest assured: it is quite easy to contain, and a few strikes with a spade are enough to limit its expansion!

Monarda Squaw - Beebalm in pictures

Flowering

Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour red

Flowering time July to August

Inflorescence Cluster

Flower size 6 cm

Fragrance Fragrant,

Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour green

Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm

Spread at maturity 45 cm

Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Monarda

Cultivar

Squaw

Family

Lamiaceae

Other common names

Bergamot, Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Horsemint

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 887481

Planting and care

Monardas are perennial plants that are sensitive to excessively dry soils and overly hot exposures, which promote powdery mildew attacks. There is a similar problem in moist soil. Squaw rarely suffers from this. These plants generally need moist, but very well-drained, rich, yet light and humus-rich soil. They don't tolerate competition from other roots well. After planting, mulch the base with a layer of dead leaves or anything that can maintain soil moisture. Winter moisture is also a problem for monardas, so drainage is very important. In summer drought, water regularly. In autumn, cut back to ground level. In poor soils, spread well-rotted compost over the crowns.

Planting period

Best planting time February, October

Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow

Type of use Border

Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Planting density 5 per m2

Exposure Sun

Soil pH Acidic, Neutral

Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)