Monarda Sugar Buzz 'Grape Gumball'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners wanting to attract local pollinators.
Discover the 'Grape Gumball' Bee Balm, a compact perennial that brings vibrant color and delightful fragrance to your garden. This variety boasts striking royal purple blooms, creating a lush display from early to late summer. Its leaves release a pleasant minty aroma, and it's a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies. Ideal for sunny borders or containers, it thrives in full sun and is resistant to deer and powdery mildew, offering a low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly addition to any landscape.
$17.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1787
/ 3268
#1787 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-35%
Below average
SKU
38237
Who it's for
- Gardeners tired of unsightly foliage and powdery mildew
- Landscapers seeking long-lasting, vibrant summer color
- Conservationists looking to support local pollinators in small spaces
Who should skip it
- Busy homeowners unable to provide regular watering during dry spells
- Low-maintenance gardeners who prefer plants that never need dividing
- Hands-off gardeners who dislike routine deadheading tasks
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
A high-traffic destination for local hummingbirds, butterflies, and essential garden bees.
Disease Resistance
Robust defense against powdery mildew keeps foliage looking pristine all season.
Bloom Longevity
Consistent, vibrant purple color persists from early summer through the heat.
Container Suitability
Compact growth habit makes it perfectly suited for patio pots and borders.
Maintenance Ease
Low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention once established in soil.
Deer Resistance
Minty foliage acts as a natural deterrent against hungry garden visitors.
Key Specs
SKU
38237
Genus
Monarda
Species
didyma
Item Form
1-Quart
Hardiness Zones
4 - 8
Mature Height
2 Feet
Mature Width
2 Feet
Sun Exposure
Full Sun to Part Shade
Features
- Compact size for containers and borders
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies
- Resistant to deer and powdery mildew
- Fragrant mint-scented leaves
- Free-flowering with deep purple blooms
- Performs well in full sun
- Long bloom time through summer
- Pollinator magnet
What customers say
Gardeners love the Monarda 'Grape Gumball' for its impressive quality and vibrant appearance right out of the box. Its deep purple blooms and compact, tidy habit are standout design features, offering a welcome alternative to sprawling bee balm. This variety establishes quickly and performs reliably, resisting common mildew problems. It's a visually appealing and dependable choice that brings consistent beauty to any garden space, making it a truly valuable addition for plant enthusiasts.
Know before you buy
This variety is a compact perennial that reaches a mature height and width of approximately 2 feet. Its smaller stature makes it an excellent choice for containers or the front of garden borders.
Yes, 'Grape Gumball' is specifically bred for improved resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue with older Monarda varieties. While it is highly resistant, ensuring good air circulation around the plant will further help keep it healthy.
It performs best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. For the most prolific blooming and strongest stems, aim for a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
The 'Grape Gumball' is hardy in zones 4 through 8. This means it is well-suited for a wide range of climates, provided it is planted in an area where winter temperatures do not consistently drop below the minimums for zone 4.
Absolutely. Its vibrant purple blooms and nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, making it a functional addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.
No, this plant is considered deer-resistant. The minty, aromatic foliage is generally unappealing to deer, which helps protect it from being grazed.
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$18