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Monarda didyma

bergamot

bergamot

© RHS 2002

11 suppliers

  • Other common names bergamot
    bee balm

    bee balm tea plant
    fragrant balm
    hare mint
    Indian feathers
    Indian plume
    lad's love
    low balm
    mountain mint
    Oswego tea
    Robin-run-around
    rose balm
    sweet bergamot

    see more

  • Synonyms Monarda coccinea
    Monarda didyma 'Red Colours'

    Monarda kalmiana
    Monarda oswegoensis

    see more

  • Family Lamiaceae

  • Genus Monarda can be annuals or clump-forming herbaceous perennials with aromatic, ovate leaves and terminal whorls of 2-lipped, tubular flowers from summer to early autumn

  • Details M. didyma is an herbaceous perennial forming a clump of erect stems bearing aromatic, lance-shaped or ovate leaves and showy 2-lipped red or pink flowers 3-4cm in length, in one or two dense terminal whorls

  • Plant range N America

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Clump-forming

  • Fragrance Leaf

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H5

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered or Exposed

Soil

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilLoam

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.5-1 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Protect from excessive winter wet and do not allow to dry out in summer

Propagation Propagate by seed or division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Cottage & Informal Garden Wildlife Gardens Prairie Planting

How to care

Pruning Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn

Pests May be attacked by slugs

Diseases May be subject to powdery mildews

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