How to Grow Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine'

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Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine'

Monarda didyma 'Vintage Wine'

flower

A cultivar of bee balm prized for its deep wine-red to burgundy flowers that bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators and hummingbirds. This herbaceous perennial reaches 24-30 inches tall and produces aromatic foliage with a minty fragrance when brushed. It's a showy addition to cottage gardens and naturalized plantings.

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Example Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine' blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 6+ hours of direct sunlight preferred; tolerates afternoon shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Moderate moisture; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice weekly during dry spells. More drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

📏

Spacing: 18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant to first flowering

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Planting depth: Transplants should be set at same depth as container; seeds sown on soil surface and lightly pressed (needs light to germinate)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerates various soil types

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged bark mulch Perlite for drainage improvement

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-7

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2-4 small true leaves emerge 10-14 days after sowing. Plants are fragile and low-growing.

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Provide bright, indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Do not cover seeds; they need light to germinate.

Vegetative

6-8 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems with opposite, lance-shaped aromatic leaves. Height reaches 12-18 inches with vigorous branching and establishment of root system.

Water regularly to maintain moist soil. Pinch stem tips when 6 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer or diluted compost tea.

Pre-flowering/Budding

2-3 weeks

Terminal flower buds begin to form at stem tips; plant reaches near full height of 24-30 inches. Foliage is dense and fragrant.

Continue regular watering. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Monitor for powdery mildew.

Flowering

6-10 weeks

Dense, tubular wine-red flowers bloom in 1.5-2 inch diameter flower heads (clusters). Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Blooms appear mid-summer through fall.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and prevent self-seeding. Water consistently. Provide good air circulation to prevent mildew. Cut back stems if plant becomes leggy.

Seed Set/Decline

4-6 weeks

If not deadheaded, flowers develop seeds in brown, dried seedheads. Foliage may yellow; plant begins to senesce in fall as temperatures cool.

Leave some seedheads for wildlife and self-seeding if desired. Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering frequency. In late fall, cut back plant to 2-3 inches above soil and mulch for winter.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coneflower (Echinacea) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) Salvia Phlox Catmint (Nepeta) Russian Sage (Perovskia) Lavender Astilbe Daylily Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Fennel (allelopathic; inhibits growth of nearby plants) Plants requiring very dry conditions Densely shading trees that reduce air circulation

Common Pests

Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil at first signs. Water at soil level. Remove heavily infected leaves.
Spray with forceful water to dislodge mites. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Increase humidity. Monitor undersides of leaves.
Hand-pick in early morning and drop into soapy water. Use beetle traps placed away from plants. Apply neem oil or spinosad in severe infestations.
Spray with strong water stream. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Use reflective mulches.
Remove affected leaves promptly. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide if necessary. Ensure good drainage and air circulation.

Uses

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Herbal tea and beverages

Culinary

Dried flowers and leaves make a fragrant, minty herbal tea with a slightly floral taste. Both fresh and dried foliage can be steeped for a soothing beverage. [source]

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Traditional herbal remedy

Medicinal

Bee balm has been used in traditional medicine for colds, fevers, and sore throats. The plant contains thymol, an antimicrobial compound also found in thyme. [source]

🦋

Pollinator magnet

Wildlife

Scarlet Monarda 'Vintage Wine' is exceptionally attractive to hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden biodiversity. [source]

🎨

Cut and dried flowers

Craft

Deep wine-red flowers dry beautifully and retain color, making them ideal for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. [source]

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Fragrant foliage and potpourri

Household

The aromatic minty leaves can be dried and used in homemade potpourri, sachets, and as a natural air freshener throughout the home. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For fresh flowers: Cut stems in early morning when flowers are fully open but before pollinator activity peaks. For dried flowers: Harvest when flowers are fully colored and before they begin to fade; hang bundles upside-down in a warm, airy, dark location for 2-3 weeks. For seeds: Allow seedheads to dry completely on the plant, then collect in late fall or early winter. For foliage (medicinal tea): Harvest young leaves in morning after dew dries; use fresh or dry for herbal infusions.

Fun Facts

🌱 Monarda didyma is also called 'bee balm' or 'oswego tea' because Native Americans and colonial settlers brewed it as a tea; it was a patriotic substitute for British tea during the American Revolution.
🌱 The flower's tubular shape and red color are perfectly adapted for hummingbird pollination—hummingbirds can see red clearly and their long beaks fit the flower's structure.
🌱 'Vintage Wine' is a mildew-resistant cultivar, making it superior to many older Monarda varieties that are highly susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Compost Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves

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