Monarda didyma 'Marshall's Delight'

Marshall's Delight Bee-balm

Monarda didyma ‘Marshall’s Delight’ is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial bee balm with fragrant green foliage and bright clear pink to hot-pink tubular flowers held in rounded, shaggy heads. Blooming from midsummer into late summer, it adds strong color to perennial borders, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and naturalized plantings. It is often listed as a mildew-resistant selection, though Mt. Cuba Center rated its powdery mildew resistance poorly in their trial, so good spacing, airflow, and steady moisture are important.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 18–24 in. wide × 2–3 ft. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Upright, clump-forming, spreading perennial
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil / Water: Moist, rich, well-drained soil; medium to high water
Bloom Time / Length: July to August; about several weeks, longer with deadheading
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, bumblebees, and butterflies; deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for pollinator gardens, hummingbird gardens, moist borders, rain gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and mass plantings. Its clear pink flowers are softer than red bee balms and pair well with purple, blue, white, yellow, ornamental grasses, and dark-leaved perennials.

Care:
Plant in rich, evenly moist soil with good air circulation. Avoid drought stress, which can encourage powdery mildew. Deadhead after flowering to keep plants tidy and extend bloom. Divide every few years in spring if clumps become crowded or thin in the center.

Height

2-3'

Width

18"-24"

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Late Summer, Mid Summer

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Mass Planting, Moist Border, Rock Garden

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No