SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm

Monarda x 'Cherry Pops'

Plants that Work®

Compact SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Monarda Blooms All Summer with Vibrant Cherry-Red Flowers
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 1 ft Wide
Showy Red Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$34³³

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant your SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm in a spot that receives full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can handle light shade, especially in hotter climates, more sun ensures the most vibrant cherry-red blooms and helps prevent powdery mildew by drying off the foliage quickly.
Soil: This Bee Balm prefers consistently moist, rich soil that drains well—think of a damp forest floor rather than a soggy marsh. If you have heavy clay, mix in compost to improve drainage, or add organic matter to sandy soil to help it hold onto necessary moisture.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply and consistently to help the roots establish, checking the soil moisture daily. Once established, Bee Balm has average water needs but shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, as drought stress can lead to powdery mildew and browning leaves. If you see the leaves wilting, it's a clear signal to water immediately, preferably at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry.

Pruning Tips

This plant blooms on new growth, so you can clean up the previous year's dead stems in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge. Deadheading, or snipping off faded flowers just above the next set of leaves, encourages a second flush of blooms later in the season. Cutting the plant back by about one-third after the first major bloom can also rejuvenate the foliage and keep the plant compact and tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your Bee Balm in early spring as new growth appears using a balanced, all-purpose garden fertilizer to support healthy foliage and flowers. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this can push soft, leafy growth that won't have time to harden off before winter, leaving the plant vulnerable to cold damage. A single application in spring is usually sufficient for the season.

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, Flowering, Fragrant, Disease resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Spreading, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Red
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Monarda x 'Cherry Pops'
Species	x
Cultivar	Cherry Pops
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Make your summertime shine with these colorful, cherry-red blooms. Monarda is a favorite for bees and butterflies! These nectar-rich flowers attract a lot of attention! All summer long, SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm (Monarda x 'Cherry Pops') will decorate your landscape with style! These tidy plants are an improved cultivar of the wild Bergamot. The SUGAR BUZZ® Series brings a great lineup and Cherry Pops Bee Balm is an improved hybrid selection that brings a compact form and incredible color for weeks in the landscape!

You'll love the spicy fragrance of the aromatic foliage and you'll really appreciate how nicely they perform in the landscape. Enjoy the upright stems, long bloom time, and the way Cherry Pops Bee Balm fills out all the way to the ground with lush, dark green aromatic minty foliage. It will grow into a nicely rounded form.

The tubular flowers are held in dense, terminal clusters. Each flower has both an upper and lower lip, which makes it very attractive to those helpful pollinators we all want to support. This clear red is a fantastic choice, too. Hummingbirds can't get enough of this shade!

You'll love the way these showy blooms hold up on their sturdy, square stems. No drooping, even after a rainfall! Enjoy how robust this well-branched perennial will be in your garden. In fact, this is a perfect plant for beginners! They'll just get better and better for each season!

Landscape Application:

Add texture, style, and charm to your garden border by repeating the use of these brilliant red flowers. Use them in a winding "ribbon" of color by repeating them along the length of your bed. They are perfectly suited for use in the middle of the flower border. You'll want to grow plenty of cut flowers, as well!

SUGAR BUZZ® was developed by modern plant breeders, who understand the needs of today's smaller landscapes. These darling plants stay compact and will spread just 26 inches in width.

Try them with the other SUGAR BUZZ® series as a cheerful pop of color! The colors will complement each other. Why not mix them together when planting? You'll get a fun taste of Boho style in your space.

Space them 12 inches apart, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Mulch between the plants and keep new plantings weeded until they grow together and touch. It won't take long!

Create a very modern garden feature with mass planting. Add additional rows, planted in a zigzagging, staggered pattern. Even traditional gardens can use these marvelous, unique blooms. Simply replace your annual bedding plants in Boxwood-trimmed planting beds with perennial Cherry Pops Monarda.

Create a full-blown Butterfly Garden as a replacement for annual beds. Partner with other Prairie-style flowers for nectar. Use Milkweed as a "host" plant for caterpillars. They'll grow in full sun or partial shade. How many Butterfly Garden plants can say that?

Isn't it time to get serious about helping pollinators? Do your part by adding this cheerful punch of bright red as a low hedge around your Cottage Border or Rock Garden.

Don't have a landscape? No worries!

Plant this lovely variety of Monarda in large containers. They'll accent your patio, balcony, or deck. Use them near your small space container garden. You'll easily support proper pollination and grow a larger harvest. Thank the bees as you gather your harvest!

Hot Summer Color - Bright Cherry Red Blooms
Compound Flowers Shaped Like Pom Poms
Nectar-Rich Flowers - Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Bees
Dark Green Foliage Is Fragrant When Crushed
Compact, Uniform Shape
Clump Form Won't Spread Aggressively
Fantastic Container & Garden Specimens, Borders & Edging

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Cherry Pops Bee Balm grows in both full sun or partial shade. It requires at least four hours of sunlight a day. Provide well-drained soil, good air circulation, and a regular amount of moderate water. Pay close attention to water during the first year as it gets established in your yard.

Container plants need even more attention to water. You can use drip irrigation (it's easier than you think to set up!), or make it part of your routine to check your containers daily. Use the "Finger Test" to see when to water. Pat down under the surface of the soil. Is it moist? You can skip watering that day, and check again tomorrow. Is it getting dry? Time to water deeply.

Prune down your plants in the late fall after frost kills the tops back, removing all the debris from the area completely. Bee Balms are sometimes prone to powdery mildew and appreciate lots of air circulation, but SUGAR BUZZ® Bee Balms have improved mildew resistance! You'll never, ever grow tired of this outstanding selection of the beloved North American native Bergamot. Don't be surprised if you come back for more.

Grows Beautifully in Full Sun & Tolerates Partial Shade
Widely Adaptable In Any Well-Drained Soil
Best In Moderate to Low Moisture
Above Average Resistance To Powdery Mildew
Easy-Care, Well-Behaved Plants
Deer & Rabbit Resistant

Order SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm for your garden today! You'll be thrilled to see the sturdy box from Nature Hills on your doorstep. Perennials are a good value and are a great way for gardeners to create a long-lasting landscape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4a-8b)?

SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm thrives in zones 4a-8b, making it suitable for most temperate climates. This hardy perennial tolerates both cold winters and warm summers while maintaining its compact 26-inch spread. Plant in spring after frost danger passes for best establishment.

What are the sunlight requirements for SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm—full sun or partial shade?

SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This robust perennial performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming and compact 26-inch spread. Shop at Nature Hills for this pollinator favorite.

Is SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm resistant to powdery mildew or other diseases?

The SUGAR BUZZ® series was developed as an improved hybrid with better disease resistance than wild Bergamot. These compact cultivars are bred for robust garden performance and reliability. Plant in well-draining soil with good air circulation for best results.

Can SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm be grown in containers, and what size pot?

SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm grows well in containers with its compact 26-inch spread. Use a pot at least 18-20 inches wide to accommodate the mature size. The sturdy stems and rounded growth habit make it ideal for container gardening.

How cold hardy is SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm (e.g., down to -30°F)?

SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, tolerating winter temperatures down to -30°F. This robust perennial will reliably return each spring and actually improves with age. Shop at Nature Hills for this cold-hardy pollinator magnet.

Does SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm require fertilizer, and how often?

SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm thrives without regular fertilizing once established. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring will support vigorous blooms through summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce flowering and make plants leggy.

Is SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established?

Yes, SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Bee Balm is low-maintenance and becomes drought-tolerant once established. This robust perennial is perfect for beginners and actually improves each season. Water regularly the first year, then it will handle dry spells beautifully.