- Botanical name: Monarda didyma
- Common name: Bergamot
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Pink
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Bergamot, Monarda didyma, has distinctive flowerheads, each one consists of a large number of curving tubular flowers growing out from a central point, creating a shaggy dome of petals. The plant has a long flowering season, from early summer to early autumn, and blooms almost continuously if deadheaded periodically. Bergamot foliage is aromatic, and leaves are sometimes picked for pot-pourri. On soil that stays moist, plants can spread fairly quickly so clumps may need to be divided about every three years.
Monarda didyma is extremely attractive to bees. Grow plants in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Mulch around the roots with garden compost annually, and divide congested clumps in spring.
How to grow Monarda didyma
-
Plant size
90cm height
45cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Monarda didyma and wildlife
Monarda didyma is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Monarda didyma poisonous?
Monarda didyma has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Monarda didyma
