Monarda 'Jacob Cline'
Best pollinator-friendly perennial for gardeners seeking vibrant, low-maintenance summer color.
Monarda 'Jacob Cline', a variety of Bee Balm, is a striking perennial that brings bold color to the garden from summer into early fall. It features enormous, shaggy red flowers held above dark-purplish bracts on tall, square stems. These nectar-rich blossoms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and they also make excellent cuts for arrangements. This fast-growing, rhizomatous plant forms colonies and has medium-green foliage that releases a minty scent when bruised. It is cold hardy to Zone 4 and thrives in moist, well-drained soil, offering an easy-care, native North American addition to borders or containers.
$33.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-22%
Below average
SKU
29345
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants without chemical sprays
- Landscapers wanting bold, high-impact vertical color
- Conservationists looking to support local hummingbird and pollinator populations
Who should skip it
- Minimalists preferring low-maintenance, non-spreading perennials
- Busy homeowners unable to provide consistent supplemental watering
- Shade-garden owners lacking sufficient direct sunlight
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
Nectar-rich blooms act as a magnet for hummingbirds and local butterflies.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer and rabbits from grazing on your garden borders.
Soil Adaptability
Thrives in heavy clay where many other perennials struggle to establish.
Bloom Longevity
Provides consistent, vibrant color from mid-summer well into the autumn season.
Maintenance Ease
Fast-growing and robust, requiring minimal intervention once properly sited.
Hardiness Range
Exceptional cold tolerance makes this a reliable choice for northern gardeners.
Key Specs
SKU
29345
Genus
Monarda
Species
Monarda didyma
Item Form
1-Gallon
Mature Height
4 Feet
Mature Width
2 Feet
Hardiness Zones
4 - 9
Soil Types
Clay, Normal, loamy, Sandy
Features
- Blooms profusely from mid-summer to early fall
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Foliage emits a minty scent when crushed
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Tolerates heavier clay soils
- Native plant that supports local biodiversity
- Repeat bloomer with good air circulation
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and reliability of Monarda 'Jacob Cline'. Reviewers frequently note the plant's impressive vigor upon arrival and its rapid establishment in the garden. The primary highlight is its superior resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue with bee balm, ensuring a healthy, lush appearance throughout the season. Gardeners celebrate the striking, true red blooms that reliably attract pollinators, confirming its reputation as a high performing, low maintenance perennial.
Know before you buy
At maturity, this variety typically reaches a height of 4 feet with a spread of about 2 feet. Given its height, it works best toward the middle or back of a garden border.
Monarda 'Jacob Cline' is quite adaptable and performs well in normal, loamy, or sandy soils. It is also notable for its ability to tolerate heavier clay soils, provided the area remains moist but well-drained.
Yes, it is highly effective at attracting local biodiversity. The nectar-rich, shaggy red flowers are a favorite for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the summer and early fall.
Yes, this variety is generally considered resistant to both deer and rabbits. The minty scent of the foliage, which is released when the leaves are crushed, often helps deter these garden pests.
To encourage repeat blooming and keep the plant healthy, ensure it has good air circulation. Deadheading spent flowers can also help tidy the plant's appearance and promote further flowering throughout the season.
Absolutely. Monarda 'Jacob Cline' is cold hardy in zones 4 through 9, making it a reliable perennial choice for a wide range of North American climates.
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$34