I'm looking for a darker purple bee balm, not lavender or pink. I know pictures are deceiving with color so I'm wondering if anyone grows this and has pictures.

I don't have pics, but take a look at "Purple Rooster" The one I have looks more purple than the images I was able to find.

Thanks Gary that's what I'm looking for, hands on experience.

Here is link to my purple rooster in the database.

I do not know if I would call it dark purple, but it nice.

I grow both Purple Rooster and Blue Stocking. Initially blooms are nearly the same mid purple. But the Rooster's blooms age to a rich dark purple, and it has never had powdery mildew, ever. Even planted next to Blue Stocking, which is covered with it every year.


Purple Rooster with Crocosmia Lucifer in my garden.

Bob, Tina, thanks for your replies. I may try both monarda but Purple Rooster is at the top of the list.

Double-Decker

Here is Purple Rooster this year.

Thanks Bob, that's definitely what I'm looking for.

There's also a Peter's Purple Bee Balm I've seen that's nice...I'd love to get some of that, too!

Dang Larry, I just got an order from Almost Eden 3 weeks ago and they have the Peter's Purple. Their photo is more purple, others look more pinkish.
@Patty has Monarda Sugar Buzz Grape Gumball that I have been seeing on Google. Patty has yours bloomed yet? I see that it is new this yr for you. It looks pretty darn purple too!

I hand watered a few things this evening, after a scorching day with a breeze. Purple Rooster was nearby. I would definitely call it purple.

While shopping yesterday, I saw some stunning pink monarda varieties. I didn't buy them then but regret that now.

Hi Kabby ~ no, mine hasn't bloomed yet - and it looks like the slugs have been snacking on it

I did manage to find a photo with both Blue Stocking and Purple Rooster. Had to crop and the photo quality is poor, but you can better see the difference in color. Blue Stocking on the left, Purple Rooster on the right

Thanks Tina that is a great comparison. I ordered a Purple Rooster from Bluestone so I expecting good things next yr!

Kabby, Purple Rooster will be the right choice.
I have Blue Stocking and it is neither blue or purple for me.
I was very disappointed.
Take care when ordering from the web. Images are often doctored and not what they seem.
I always check the Plant List to see the desired plant in a real garden.
Good luck ,sounds like a nice project.

The pictures I shared are from my own garden. Both are purple here, in clay soil with the only addition being alfalfa pellets flung about every month or so. Got the Blue Stocking from Dogwoodritter on Ebay and the Purple Rooster from Hirts.

For a purple Monarda I would recommend 'Peter's Purple'. It's the most purple Beebalm I've ever grown...

Beebalm (Monarda 'Peter's Purple')

I also grow a short Monarda that only gets about 7 or 8 inches tall, but they are a very dark purple. Unfortunately, I do not know the cultivar, as it was a gifted plant.