Monarda didyma Bee-Merry Improved (Bee-You Series)

RHS Plant Profile

bergamot [Bee-Merry Improved]

RHS / AB-Cultivars

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact plant to around 45cm tall producing lots of coral pink flowers with darker button-like centres in the summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

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: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate in spring by division before new growth begins or from basal softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadheading regularly may prolong flowering; cut back to ground level in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

This cultivar is said to show good resistance to powdery mildews that often affect Monardas