Monarda didyma

RHS Plant Profile

bergamot

Other common names

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

Synonyms

Monarda didyma 'Red Colours'
Monarda oswegoensis
Monarda kalmiana
Monarda coccinea

Herbaceous Perennial Herbs - Culinary

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A bushy perennial to 90cm tall, forming a clump of erect stems bearing aromatic, lance-shaped or ovate mid-green leaves, and showy 2-lipped red or pink flowers 3-4cm in length, in one or two dense terminal whorls, from mid to late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
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 & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N America

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

Prairie planting
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews