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When to Plant Bee Balm in Florence County, WI

Bee balm is a native perennial herb with shaggy, scarlet flower heads that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its leaves make an aromatic tea reminiscent of Earl Grey.

Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 1,147 feet, Florence County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Bee Balm to ensure they mature before fall.

Florence County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Florence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bee Balm Planting Timeline — Florence County, WI

Bee Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Harvest September 1 Sep 1 – Oct 27

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

118 days in Florence County

Growing Tips for Florence County

Start from seed, divisions, or transplants. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers for reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bee Balm in Florence County, WI?

Florence County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Bee Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Florence County, WI?

Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 21.

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Your Florence County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Florence County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Florence County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.