How to Grow Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink'
Wikimedia Commons
Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink'
Monarda didyma 'Croftway Pink'
flowerBee Balm 'Croftway Pink' is a cultivar of wild bergamot featuring soft pink flowers arranged in distinctive shaggy pompom-like clusters atop tall, aromatic stems. This perennial attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies while releasing a pleasant minty fragrance when foliage is brushed. It's a reliable garden performer with naturally mildew-resistant characteristics.
When should you plant Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
Sign up free to see if Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green cotyledons emerge; plant develops first true leaves with serrated edges and mild minty aroma
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to strongest individual if direct seeding.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksPlant develops multiple stems with opposite, oval, green leaves that release fragrance when touched. Height increases rapidly.
Water regularly; pinch back growing tips in early summer to encourage bushier growth and more flower stems. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds form in tight clusters at stem tips; pink coloring becomes visible in bud bracts before flowers open
Continue regular watering at soil level. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Ensure good air circulation.
Flowering
6-8 weeksShaggy pink pompom flowers bloom in whorls around stems; flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Peak color in mid to late summer.
Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming period. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues. Stake tall plants if needed in windy areas.
Seed Development & Dormancy
6-8 weeksFlowers fade; seed heads form if not deadheaded. Foliage gradually yellows as temperatures cool in fall. Plant dies back to ground in winter.
Leave seed heads for wildlife benefit or deadhead for tidiness. Cut back to 4-6 inches in fall after frost or early spring. Divide every 3-4 years.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Improve air circulation by spacing adequately and pruning lower leaves. Water at soil level, not overhead. Spray with neem oil or sulfur fungicide if severe. 'Croftway Pink' is naturally resistant but can still be affected in humid conditions.
-
Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if population is heavy.
-
Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Improve drainage and air circulation. Apply copper fungicide if necessary.
-
Spray with water to remove. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for severe infestations.
Uses
Herbal tea and fresh cooking
CulinaryFresh or dried leaves and flowers brew into a warming minty tea with a subtle citrus note. Both are edible garnishes for salads, beverages, and desserts. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalBee balm has been used in traditional medicine as a digestive aid and for mild cold symptoms. Contains thymol, a compound with antimicrobial properties. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeExceptional nectar source that attracts hummingbirds, honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies throughout the flowering season. [source]
Fragrant dried arrangements and potpourri
HouseholdFlowers and foliage dry beautifully and retain fragrance for months, making them ideal for dried bouquets, wreaths, and pot-pourri blends. [source]
Natural dye plant
CraftFlowers and leaves can be used to create soft pink to lavender natural dyes for textiles and fibers. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pinch back flowers for fresh arrangements when they first fully open. Cut stems in the morning after dew dries for best vase life (7-10 days). For drying, cut stems when flowers are fully open, tie in bundles, and hang upside-down in a warm, airy location. Harvest leaves anytime during the growing season for tea or culinary use; best flavor in mid-morning after dew dries but before heat peaks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 'Croftway Pink' is particularly noted for its resistance to powdery mildew, a common problem with other bee balm varieties, making it a favorite among gardeners in humid climates.
- 🌱 The name 'bergamot' comes from the bergamot orange, as the plant's minty-citrus scent closely resembles the fruit; it's native to North America and was used by Native Americans for tea and medicine.
- 🌱 A single bee balm flower head contains hundreds of tiny florets, and a single plant can produce dozens of flower heads, providing exceptional nectar—some beekeepers plant large patches specifically to support honeybee colonies.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Bee Balm 'Croftway Pink' timeline →