Monarda media (Purple Bergamot)
Purple Bergamot
Monarda media (Purple Bergamot) is a clump-forming perennial boasting fragrant, reddish-purple, tubular flowers borne in ragged terminal heads, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). Blooming for weeks from mid to late summer, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purplish bracts. The colorful and nectar-rich blooms ensure that butterflies and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the garden. The silvery-green foliage of opposite, lance-shaped leaves, is covered with fine hair. Aromatic, leaves have a strong mint fragrance when crushed. Purple Bergamot is best suited to the rich, moist, acidic soil of naturalized areas and along bogs, streams, or ponds.
- Grows up to 2-3 ft tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Will spread through rhizomes to form a colony.
- Performs best in full sun or light shade in rich, moist, acidic soils.
- This showy perennial looks great in prairies and meadows, rain gardens, and along bogs, streams, or ponds.
- Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, but this plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
- This species is prone to powdery mildew. Providing good air circulation to combat powdery mildew is important. Prune stems to increase airflow. Rust can also be a problem.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Propagate by division, seed, or stem cuttings.
- Native to eastern North America.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Monarda - Bee Balms |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
123RF, Agatchen, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Monarda - Bee Balms |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |