Raspberry Wine Bee Balm

Monarda x 'Raspberry Wine'

American Beauties®

Deep Raspberry-Red Blooms Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Bees All Summer Long
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 3-4 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Red, Pink Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

$38⁷¹

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure vigorous blooming and to help keep the foliage dry. While this variety tolerates partial shade, too much shade can lead to leggy stems and an increased risk of powdery mildew.
Soil: These plants thrive in rich, organic soil that remains consistently moist but drains well. If you are working with heavy clay or fast-draining sand, mix in plenty of compost to improve soil texture and moisture retention.

Watering Requirements

Keep the soil consistently moist, as Monarda didyma varieties like Raspberry Wine are not drought-tolerant and will stress quickly if allowed to dry out. Consistent moisture is actually your best defense against powdery mildew, which attacks stressed plants. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to lock in moisture and keep the roots cool during the heat of summer.

Pruning Tips

Remove spent flower heads immediately after the first flush of blooms fades to encourage a potential second show of color later in the season. Since this is an herbaceous perennial, you should cut the stems down to about 2 inches above the soil line in late fall after a hard frost. Removing this old foliage is crucial for sanitation and helps prevent fungal spores from overwintering.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release garden fertilizer or a top dressing of compost in early spring when you see new growth emerging. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, particularly late in the season, as they promote lush, leafy growth that weakens the plant's structure and reduces flower production.

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, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3-4 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Red, Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Monarda x 'Raspberry Wine'
Species	x
Cultivar	Raspberry Wine
Class	Lamiales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

The showy unique Raspberry Wine Bee Balm (Monarda x 'Raspberry Wine'), also known as Bergamont, Horsemint, or Oswego Tea, is a clump-forming perennial that has tubular, two-lipped, raspberry flowers with dark green, aromatic foliage!

Raspberry Wine puts forth its gorgeous blooms from July to August, but if deadheaded, even repeat blooms will be encouraged. Both the flowers and foliage are fragrant, and ideal for potpourri, cut flower arrangements, and pollinator gardens!

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the vibrant color and generous nectar sources, standing tall on their square Mint-family stems, these perennials are heat and cold-hardy throughout USDA planting zones 4 to 9. Growing up to 3-4 feet tall when in bloom and spreading up to 3 feet wide. In some areas, Monarda can colonize small areas by way of underground stems.

Landscape Application:

The leaves of your plant can be used for teas and in salads, so plant Raspberry Wine in your herb gardens and around your veggies and orchards to entice the bees and beneficial insects in, helping with the heavy task of pollination.

This variety is particularly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, especially when massed, but is also deer and rabbit-resistant. This carefree Raspberry Wine Bee Balm provides color and contrast for the perennial border, wildflower garden, meadow and naturalized areas!

Bee Balm can handle that moist growing location where other plants may struggle. Pot up in your mixed planters for a showy summer thriller, or let these spreading perennials ramble through the Cottage garden, Rock Garden, or around the outskirts of your water features in the sun! Must haves for the cut flower garden, you'll love their unique beauty and fragrance indoors and out!

Gorgeous Raspberry Colored Unique Flowers
Aromatic Green Foliage
Long Summer Bloom Time
Attracts Pollinators & Hummingbirds
Clumping Upright Forms For Perennial Gardens, Cut Flowers & Massing

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This magnificent plant does best when planted in full or partial sun, and will tolerate afternoon shade well. A fast-growing variety, the Raspberry Wine will grow quite quickly, so it's a good idea to divide the plant every few years, for best results. Raspberry Wine Bee Balms are best grown in rich soil in a well-drained area, not being allowed to dry out. This plant prefers neutral to alkaline soils but isn't too fussy overall. This Bee Balm is also a disease and mildew-resistant variety.

Provide a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the root system to support your plants. 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. Divide clumps every few years to maintain their size and vigor.

Loves Full - Partial Sun In Hot Climates
Very Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Moderate to Low Moisture Needs - Drought Tolerant
Prune Back In Late Fall
Incredibly Disease Resistant

Place your order to reserve your Raspberry Wine Bee Balm plants today! Fill your garden with wine-colored blooms and butterflies throughout the summer! Now at NatureHills.com!

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones can Raspberry Wine Bee Balm grow in?

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9. This heat and cold-hardy perennial can handle a wide range of climates, from northern regions with harsh winters to warmer southern areas. Plant it confidently across most of the continental United States.

When does Raspberry Wine Bee Balm bloom and how long do the flowers last?

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm blooms from July to August with striking raspberry-colored tubular flowers. The blooming period extends when you deadhead spent flowers, encouraging repeat blooms throughout late summer. Shop this pollinator magnet at Nature Hills for continuous color.

Is Raspberry Wine Bee Balm deer resistant?

Yes, Raspberry Wine Bee Balm is deer and rabbit resistant. This makes it an excellent choice for gardens where browsing wildlife is a concern. Plant it in your perennial borders or herb gardens where its aromatic foliage will help deter unwanted visitors.

What are the best companion plants to grow alongside Raspberry Wine Bee Balm?

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm pairs beautifully with other moisture-loving perennials like Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Phlox in zones 4-9. Its 3-4 foot height works well behind shorter plants like Catmint or Salvia. Plant it near vegetables and herbs to attract beneficial pollinators for better harvests.

Does Raspberry Wine Bee Balm spread aggressively or stay in a clump?

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm is clump-forming but can spread moderately through underground stems in some areas. It typically grows 3-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide rather than aggressively colonizing. Give it adequate space or divide every few years to control spread.

Raspberry Wine Bee Balm

Monarda x 'Raspberry Wine'