Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'
Golden balm, Lemon balm, Balm, Bee balm, Honey plant, Sweet Mary
Also known as Melissa officinalis 'Variegata'
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.46m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an ornamental form of lemon balm. The lush green leaves are variously patterned with good yellow variegation. It grows more slowly than the species and the foliage tends to scorch if the plant gets too dry. It may revert to the green form so cut out any sections of the plant that deviate. If the foliage is pressed it has the same delightful fragrance as the species. Give this a sunny or partly shaded site in well drained soil. It reaches around 60cm (2ft) in height with a 45cm (18in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring - mid · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut to ground in mid spring.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.