I planted some of this last spring, and this spring it got at least 3 ft tall and bloomed pretty. The only problem is I have found it to be very brittle and it snaps off even w a breeze. I am wondering if I can cut it back early spring to make it bushier and shorter instead of tall and thin and breaking off? I don't want to lose the blooms of course.

I've never tried cutting mine back. The bush has gotten thicker each year and has sustained some pretty bad windstorms this year. Maybe next year yours will be stronger. Mine is somewhat protected up against taller plants though. Maybe that's part of what keeps them safe.

mine is just in the open mostly with no protection. If it isn't stronger next year I may dig it out, I'm really disappointed in this.I lost probably half of it due to breakage. Yours is pretty with the lilies together.

with Connie. The taller bee balms need other plants around them to provide a little support and shelter. In an exposed, windy situation you might have better luck with a dwarf cultivar.

ok, thanks, I didn't know there were dwarf ones, will have to look into that, I love the colors and it has bloomed all summer and the bumble bees love it, beetles left it alone too.

It's great for a hit of color from a distance. I love seeing it from my kitchen window, and this year I split the plant and put a piece in the front yard so that people walking by the house also get that nice hit of color amongst all the green where the peonies have finished blooming.

I have a tall reddish colored type. It grows against a wall. In early spring, I put up a metal fence in front of it....nothing fancy, just the kind you find at any store. The fence keeps it from flopping everywhere and once it grows a bit, the fence is hidden.

Missy, I use something similar for my delphiniums. I buy them at the Dollar Store. Mine are small wooden twigs tacked together like an accordion. I just spread it out along the Delphinium rows and, like you said, they fill in and then you can't see them, but they're in there keeping the narrow flimsy stalks from getting knocked over.

I have some really tall bee balm. I planted it last fall and this year it got to about 4 feet and a little sparse, but the sphinx moths and hummers love it. I had a couple stems flop over from wind, but it has stayed pretty strong. I hope it fills out more next year.

I'm creating a new front yard bed and have planted my Bee Balm in a five gallon pot then planted the pot to keep it from taking over the bed. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I agree with others' responses. Mine have done quite well inside a circle of evergreen trees. They've been in that spot for a decade or so and haven't blown over or spread out of bounds. They do indeed prefer sheltered areas and somewhat crowded conditions.

To all of the newest Cottage Garden enthusiests; ! We're happy to have you here!

Although I don't grow beebalm in pot I use that tactic with mint. Be sure to repot in early spring, that's what I do with the mint. Sometimes you have to clean out a bunch of ants, that's the only problem Ive had.

@SCButtercup What do you suggest to prevent the ants to come in?

I think you misunderstood my mention of cleaning out ants in pots. Plants in pots that are set on the ground or sunken in (which is how I grow mint to prevent it taking over) will attract ant nests. So I dig up the pots in early spring/late winter, change the soil, rinse off ant larva and flood the hole with water. This drives the ants away to find undisturbed ground.

Good tips here.
I just got 3 M. didyma plants on fall discount. They are still small and haven't bloomed.
I knew about the running habit and chose not to contain them. I hope I don't regret that.
I didn't know about the wind and needing shelter. They are planted at the east side of my shed. To the north about 12' away is our garage, and to the south the same distance is the neighbour's garage. I hope this is a sheltered enough area for them.
I have clay that I've been amending with all the organics I can get into it. That area is the lowest on our property and sometimes will flood for a couple days after a big rain.
Back there I also plan on buttonbush, lobelia cardinalis, siberian iris, asclepias incarnata for hummingbirds and monarchs.