A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Bee Balm

This past season was my first growing pink Bee Balm. It didn't bloom because I acquired the plant late, but it grew nicely! Because this was my first year with it I didn't cut it down this fall, is that alright? I just read that I should cut it down to an inch tall in the fall. Will not cutting it down hurt it at all?

I don't think so - I haven't had a chance to cut mine down either - we got snowed upon and are now nicely into winter (YUK!!)
Perhaps cut it back in the spring before any new growth appears - and hopefully things should be OK.
Actually with alot of my perennials I wait till spring - it doesn't seem to bother them a bit.

lily and JAKE,
I think the biggest reason they probly
suggest cutting it, is because of over wintered
diseases and pest taking up sleeping quarters in the area around it as the dead material falls down.
But I haven't cut mine either, or the last 2 yrs. and I haven't noticed anything for them in the way of it hurting them.

I do need to thin mine, for better circulation.
Next years list!!
Weezie

Thanks to you both! That is good...Lois Hole does say not to cut down anything but peonies and lilies in the fall esp. in the first year of growth..but I wanted to make sure. Since it's all buried under snow now anyways I don't have much choice, but it's good to hear from you!

Who is that person???
Just curious??
Weezie

Lois Hole writes many gardening books up here in Canada (Alberta),and owns one of the largest greenhouses (along with her family). She is extremely well respected in this field - many consider her advice to be "the gospel".
I myself have a few of her books!

*chuckle* Sorry Weezie...I just assumed that everyone has heard of her and her books since she had so many..but I guess she's more of a Canadian icon!