Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 993 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Scarlet Beebalm: observations by month (U.S.)
About Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma (crimson beebalm, scarlet beebalm, scarlet monarda, Oswego tea, or bergamot) is an aromatic herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to eastern North America from Maine west to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to northern Georgia. Its odor is considered similar to that of the bergamot orange (the source of bergamot oil used to flavor Earl Grey tea). The scientific name comes from Nicolas Monardes, who described the first American flora in 1569.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Scarlet Beebalm by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 468 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 162 | July | Jun–Jul |
| New York | 113 | July | Jul–Aug |
| West Virginia | 76 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Tennessee | 47 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Virginia | 28 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New Jersey | 23 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Vermont | 14 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 11 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Maryland | 10 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Wisconsin | 10 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Michigan | 8 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Connecticut | 5 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Kentucky | 5 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Scarlet Beebalm?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to August.
Where is Scarlet Beebalm most often seen?
The most observations come from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York.