Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Origin
Southern Europe
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Melissa officinalis
Yellow Birch, Paper Birch, River Birch
Habitat
Dappled Shade, Mediterranean region, Shady Edge, Woodland Garden
Hills, Moist Soils
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
4-9
Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
White, Light Pink
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Light Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Light Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Light Green
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
-
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Spring
Tolerances
Deer resistant, Drought
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Seedlings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Low
Medium
Watering Requirements
Medium
Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water Deeply, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves
Remove branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Fertilizers
Nitrogen, Potassium
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize twice a year, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
Gray leaf blight, Gray mold, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Deer resistant, Drought
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flowers
Insignificant
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Medium
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Attracts
Bees
Ants, Aphids, Birds
Allergy
Avoid during Pregnancy, Skin irritation
-
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden
-
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin, Skin Problems
Good for skin
Edible Uses
Insignificant
Yes
Environmental Uses
Deer resistant, Insect Repellent
Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Antiemetic, Anxiety, Appetite enhancer, Digestion problems, Insomnia, Sedative
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders, Urinary tract problems
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Leaves
Bark, Leaves, Sap
Other Uses
Can be made into a herbal tea, Medicinal oil, Used as insect repellent, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in herbal medicines
Medicinal oil, Used as essential oil
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
MELISSA officinalis
BETULA nigra 'Studetec'
Common Name
Lemonbalm, balm, common balm, balm mint
Black Birch, River Birch, Tecumseh Compact River Birch
In Hindi
नींबू बाम
काले बर्च वृक्ष
In German
Lemonbalm
Schwarze Birke
In French
mélisse
Noir Bouleau
In Spanish
Lemonbalm
Negro del árbol de abedul
In Greek
Lemonbalm
Μαύρο Birch Tree
In Portuguese
Lemonbalm
Bétula Preto
In Polish
Lemonbalm
Czarny Brzoza
In Latin
CITRAGO
Niger Caerulus
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Lamiaceae
Betulaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Importance of Lemonbalm and Black Birch
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Lemonbalm and Black Birch. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Lemonbalm and Black Birch as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Lemonbalm is Antiemetic, Anxiety, Appetite enhancer, Digestion problems, Insomnia and Sedative whereas of Black Birch is Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders and Urinary tract problems. Lemonbalm has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin and Skin Problems while Black Birch has beauty benefits as follows: Good for skin and Skin Problems.
Compare Facts of Lemonbalm vs Black Birch
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Lemonbalm vs Black Birch and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Lemonbalm are Avoid during Pregnancy and Skin irritation whereas of Black Birch have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Lemonbalm has no showy fruits and Black Birch has no showy fruits. Also Lemonbalm is not flowering and Black Birch is not flowering . You can compare Lemonbalm and Black Birch facts and facts of other plants too.