Monarda Sugar Buzz 'Cherry Pops'
Best pollinator-friendly perennial for compact garden borders and containers.
Monarda Sugar Buzz® 'Cherry Pops' is a vibrant perennial known for its gorgeous cherry-red flowers accented with light-pink centers, blooming throughout the summer. This easy-to-grow bee balm forms an upright clump, reaching 16 to 24 inches tall, making it perfect for borders or containers. Its dark-green foliage releases a minty scent when crushed and can be used for tea. Attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, this variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is deer resistant and offers reliable color in cottage or rain gardens.
$15.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2690
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-64%
Below average
SKU
38026
Who it's for
- Urban gardeners with limited space or container setups
- Gardeners tired of battling powdery mildew on their foliage
- Eco-conscious homeowners looking to support local pollinators
Who should skip it
- Hands-off gardeners who prefer plants that require no deadheading
- Busy gardeners in hot climates without irrigation systems
- Minimalist gardeners who prefer low-maintenance, non-spreading perennials
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
A magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies throughout the summer season.
Growth Habit
Maintains a tidy, upright clump that avoids aggressive, invasive spreading.
Climate Versatility
Thrives across a broad range of hardiness zones from four through nine.
Deer Resistance
Reliably deters browsing deer while maintaining its vibrant floral display.
Garden Utility
Perfectly suited for containers, cottage borders, or moisture-rich rain gardens.
Aromatic Appeal
Crushed foliage releases a pleasant minty scent ideal for herbal teas.
Key Specs
SKU
38026
Genus
Monarda
Species
didyma
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
16 in
Mature Width
18 in
Hardiness Zones
4 - 9
Features
- Provides a dome of bright cherry-red flowers with light-pink centers during summer.
- Foliage smells like mint when crushed and can be used to flavor tea.
- Grows an upright clump without aggressive spreading, ideal for tight spots.
- Attracts beneficial pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
- Tolerant of a wide range of conditions and climates.
- Performs well in rain gardens and cottage garden settings.
What customers say
Gardeners are consistently impressed by the reliability and striking design of the Monarda 'Cherry Pops'. The vibrant, true red blooms deliver exceptional visual impact, maintaining their color saturation even in strong sun. A key highlight is the plant's compact, nonflopping habit, which eliminates the need for staking. Furthermore, its superior resistance to powdery mildew ensures healthy foliage and dependable performance, making this variety a highly valued, low maintenance addition to the perennial border.
Know before you buy
No, this variety is specifically bred to form a tidy, upright clump. It does not spread aggressively, making it a great choice for smaller garden beds or containers where you want to keep the plant contained.
Yes, the foliage has a pleasant, minty scent and flavor when crushed. You can steep the fresh leaves in hot water to create a mild, herbal tea.
Monarda 'Cherry Pops' is hardy in zones 4 through 9. This means it is well-suited for a wide range of climates and can reliably withstand the winter temperatures found in those regions.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it will produce the most flowers in a spot with full sun, it is adaptable enough to perform well in areas that receive some afternoon shade.
Yes, the minty, aromatic foliage of the Monarda is generally unappealing to deer. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, this variety is a reliable choice for gardens where deer pressure is a concern.
Since this variety reaches a mature width of about 18 inches, you should space them roughly 18 to 20 inches apart. This allows for proper air circulation, which helps keep the foliage healthy throughout the season.
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$16