Jacob Cline Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'

American Beauties®

Shockingly Red Flowers with Superior Mildew Resistance for Vibrant Summer Color
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 1-2 ft Wide
Showy Red Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$33¹⁷

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for at least six hours daily to ensure the most vibrant red blooms and strongest stems. While it tolerates partial shade, you may see fewer flowers and a higher risk of powdery mildew due to reduced air circulation and slower drying of the leaves.
Soil: This variety thrives in rich, moist soil that does not dry out completely. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve drainage, or add peat moss to sandy soil to help it hold onto the moisture this plant craves.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, provide about one inch of water per week to help the root system settle into its new home. Once established, Jacob Cline is somewhat drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering will lead to crispy leaf edges and smaller flower clusters. Keeping the soil consistently moist like a wrung out sponge ensures the plant stays lush and keeps the hummingbirds coming back.

Pruning Tips

Since this perennial blooms on new growth produced in the spring, you should cut the entire plant back to the ground in late autumn or early spring before new shoots emerge. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers throughout the summer, encourages a second flush of blooms and keeps the plant looking tidy. This process is like a haircut that redirects the energy of the plant away from seed production and back into making more flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release granular fertilizer in early spring just as you see the first green sprouts poking through the soil. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this stimulates tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. A simple organic compost mulch applied around the base each spring is often all the extra nutrition this vigorous grower needs.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Native, Low Maintenance, Disease resistant, Flowering, Fragrant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	Red
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
Species	didyma
Cultivar	Jacob Cline
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Effortlessly charming and colorful, the Jacob Cline Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline') is a bushy, clump-forming perennial producing large, red flowers above lance-shaped, dark green, citrus-scented green leaves in summer!

The Jacob Cline Bee Balm flowers are fragrant and they begin to bloom in late spring into summer, and sometimes rebloom in some areas may be possible if the old flowering stems are snipped back after they fade. On top of all of that, it is one of the most powdery mildew-resistant Bee Balms!

Attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the whimsical jester hats that the bright red flowers resemble. This taller selection has shockingly red shaggy flowers that the hummingbirds find irresistible.

Cold and heat-hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9, Jacob Cline grows up to 3-4 feet tall when in bloom, spreading into clumps 18-24 inches wide, but can grow wider when happy and colonizing areas.

Landscape Application:

The unique red blooms and upright form make Jacob Cline perfect for the perennial border, wildflower garden, meadow and native planting. Bee Balms have medicinal uses and make a tasty tea, heralding its Oswego Tea common name, so plant them in your Victory Garden and herb garden!

Handling tricky areas that are drought tolerant or even higher moisture locations like along ponds or streams. Showy Cottage Garden plants and hardy Rock Garden perennials, plant your Bee Balm in Pollinator gardens and cut flower gardens both benefits from these scented perennials look great, and serve multiple ornamental purposes indoors and out!

If you're looking for a dramatic "wow factor" in your landscaping, then plant this magnificent plant in a mass planting. You will be captivated by the powerful red blooms that shine brightly day in and day out! When massed, Monarda provides color and easy care contrast, like their Mint family relatives, Bee Balm creep and spread by way of underground roots, creating colonies and clumps of showy red summer blooms!

Have a small yard or no room for these spreading perennials? Jacob Cline looks just as great confined in a container or mixed planter as a radiant red thriller!

Large Fragrant Shaggy Red Blooms In Summer!
Citrusy Aromatic Foliage
Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds
Easy To Grow & Care For
Clumping Upright Forms For Perennial Gardens, Cut Flowers & Massing

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Place Jacob Cline Bee Balm in a sunny area with good air circulation. The plant clumps may need to be thinned after several years if they get too crowded. This plant grows well in full sun to part shade and will tolerate dry soil and prefers neutral to alkaline soils. The Jacob Cline Bee Balm is very easy to grow and care for. Prune back all the foliage in the late fall once it dies back, removing the leaves and stems from the area to yard waste. The aromatic foliage means that Bee Balm are deer and rabbit-resistant! Deadhead after flowers fade to encourage a rebloom later in the season. It is recommended you divide these perennials every 3-5 years to maintain their vigor and shape.

Loves Full Sun!
Very Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs - Drought Tolerant
Prune Back In Late Fall
Disease, Deer & Rabbit Resistant

Order your very own Jacob Cline Bee Balm today before it is too late! You won't want to miss out on the opportunity to add this beauty to your landscaping. Buy your showy red Monarda now at NatureHills.com!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Jacob Cline Bee Balm hardy in?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm is cold and heat-hardy in USDA planting zones 4 to 9. This makes it suitable for most regions across the continental United States. Plant it confidently knowing it will return year after year in these zones.

How tall and wide does Jacob Cline Bee Balm get when fully mature?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm reaches 3-4 feet tall when in bloom and spreads 18-24 inches wide, though it can colonize wider areas when established. This vigorous perennial thrives in zones 4-9 and makes an excellent choice for mass plantings. Shop at Nature Hills for this dramatic red-flowered selection.

Does Jacob Cline Bee Balm need full sun or can it tolerate partial shade?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade well. In shadier conditions, expect slightly less vigorous blooming and potentially more open growth habit. Plant in a spot with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal flower production.

How often should I water Jacob Cline Bee Balm once established?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm is drought tolerant once established and needs minimal watering. This hardy perennial thrives in zones 4-9 and can handle both dry conditions and higher moisture areas. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, but avoid overwatering as it prefers well-draining soil.

Is Jacob Cline Bee Balm fast-growing or slow to establish?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm establishes at a moderate pace, reaching its full 3-4 foot height by its second season. This variety spreads by underground roots to form expanding clumps, so expect gradual but steady colonization once established. Give it consistent moisture the first year for best results, available at naturehills.com.

Is Jacob Cline Bee Balm deer resistant?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm is generally deer resistant due to its strong citrus scent and membership in the mint family. Deer typically avoid aromatic plants like this one. For best protection, plant it in groups rather than as isolated specimens.

Can Jacob Cline Bee Balm be shipped safely during winter months?

Jacob Cline Bee Balm can be shipped safely during winter in zones 4-9 where it's cold hardy. As a dormant perennial, it actually handles winter shipping well since it's not actively growing. Check your local weather forecast and avoid planting during frozen ground conditions.

Jacob Cline Bee Balm

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'