Common Name: Type: Family: Native Range: Zone: Height: Spread: Bloom Time: Bloom Description: Sun: Water: Maintenance: Suggested Use: Flower: Leaf: Tolerates: |
lemon balm Herbaceous perennial Lamiaceae Southern Europe 3 to 7 1.50 to 2.00 feet 1.50 to 3.00 feet June to August White to pale yellow Full sun to part shade Dry to medium Low Ground Cover, Herb Showy Fragrant Deer |
Melissa officinalis, commonly called lemon balm, is a bushy herbaceous perennial of the mint family. Another common name that has been used for this plant is bee balm. It is typically grown in herb gardens and border fronts for its lemon-scented leaves. Wrinkled, ovate, medium green leaves (to 3” long) appear in pairs on square stems rising to 2’ tall. Tiny white flowers, loved by honey bees, appear throughout the summer. Leaves are edible and may be added to salads, soups, sauces or vegetables and to flavor teas. Dried leaves may be added to sachets and potpourri. Lemon balm has been used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes including calming nervous disorders, soothing insect bites and treating colds. Lemon Balm is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants adapt to a wide range of soils including poor ones but wet soils should be avoided, especially in the winter. Frequent pruning is recommended to encourage growth of new leaves. Pruning will also minimize self-seeding and help to form the most ornamentally attractive plants. Unpruned plants can look like weeds. |
Information on this page is from Missouri Botanical Gardens. or Dave’s Garden |