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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: North America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Height: 3-5 feet |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' (Jacob Cline Bee Balm) A sturdy perennial that remains evergreen in our climate and grows initially as an upright clump 3 to 5 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide and then spreading by rhizomes. It has stout square stems with deep green 3 to 5 inch long acuminate tipped ovate leaves with serrated margins that are held oppositely on inch long petioles that have a scent likened to a combination of mint and basil. Starting in late spring and extending for 6 weeks or more appear at the top of the stems the attractive large crowded clusters of inch long red flowers that are tubular at the base with an a narrow upper lip, a wider lower lip and exserted stamens - wow! Plant in full coastal sun to part sun (later afternoon shade) inland is a well-drained humus rich soil and give regular water. Very hardy and useful in USDA zones down to 4. Cut back to a few inches off the ground in fall. Not typically seen in our warmer winter mediterranean climate area, but seems to reliably live on and grow and flower well, so who are we not to promote at least trying this amazing plant in west coast gardens. It has proven itself to elsewhere to be the very best red Monarda, particularly since hummingbirds and butterflies love this plant while rabbits and deer do not. The distribution of this primarily northeastern North American species is from Canada south to north Georgia, where it is found in wet meadows, moist woods and disturbed sites. The genus was named for the Spanish botanist and physician Nicolás Monardes (1493 1588), who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World. The specific epithet is from the Greek word 'didyma' meaning means "twin" or in pairs, in reference to the paired stamens on this plant. This particular selection reportedly was discovered near the Blue Ridge Parkway by Georgia plantswoman and garden designe Jean Cline and named for her son. It was introduced by Saul Nursery of Alpharetta, Georgia. Our stock plants from Annie Hayes at Annie's Annuals in 2018.
This information about Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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