Monarda citriodora

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bergamot

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Synonyms

Monarda aristata
Monarda dispersa
Monarda tenuiaristata

Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial
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A short-lived perennial often grown as an annual or biennial to 60cm tall with narrow, toothed, lance-shaped leaves that smell of lemon when crushed. Scented, tubular, two-lipped white, pink and purple flowers over purplish bracts are borne in tiered, globular clusters around the stem; each flower stem usually carries between two and six flower clusters

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

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

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–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 Flower Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Central & South USA, N & W Mexico

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 division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Prone to powdery mildews