I bought a pack of horsemint seeds not realizing at the time that it is also bee balm. I grew bee balm in New Hampshire, but horsemint is different.
The northern bee balm is bright pink-red and grows in a clump. It has definite flowers and a bristly center. It grows in summer.
Horsemint grows tall and spreads by vining branches. The flowers are partially leaves that turn spotted pink and they appear in September. The part of the flower that attracts the bees is on top of the pink leaves and under the next set of leaves.
Horsemint will grow in Florida but also in zones 3-9. It can take the heat and drought conditions. It spreads like mad.
Two years ago I grew a horsemint plant in a pot from seed. I planted it into the back garden and it grew nicely. It attracted lots of bees and some butterflies. So, when it began to spread in runners I let it go – mostly. I did keep it in one area, but it spread into the lot next door too.
This year the horsemint is not a plant, it is a small field. Each stem is easy to pull up. The 3-4 foot tall stems are clustered and beginning to bloom like mad. All types of bees are on the spotted, pink flowers every day.
The stems grow until the leaves at the top turn pink. A circular section of tiny, orchid like flowers are what draws the pollinators. As the first set of “orchids” dies, more grow on the next level. It’s pretty cool. These photos were taken in September, so this is a late summer – fall flowering plant.
You can read more about growing horsemint in Florida at IFAS Gardening Solutions.
I’m not sure about the names of bees that visit my yard but the little green and yellow bee is probably a sweat bee. It just happened to be in the photo I was taking of the black bee.
Each day I have various butterflies in the yard but it’s too hot still to be outside much. I’m not sure if any of them are visiting the horsemint. The bees, of all sizes, are constantly swarming the area.
Plans for a Fall Cleanup
Once the horsemint has finished blooming, I will rip a bunch of it out and cut some back. I don’t want it to take over my small garden space because I may need the area to grow some kind of food.
Horsemint could be used to fill in a garden bed and feed the bees in a Fall garden in Florida. The goal should be to have flowering plants all year round.
As I am writing this post a big excavator is next door clearing the lot. They are taking everything and my yard will not be the same.
More stories from the yard:
Thank you for sharing!
Hydrangeas Blue 