Monarda

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Plant Catalogue Click the initial letter to see our range :
A printable catalogue is available by clicking here. Mail Order Information here

Click name to see details: [ Macleaya ] [ Malva ] [ Miscanthus ] [ Molinia ] [ Monarda ] [ Morina ]

Monarda in our garden in July foreground Beauty of Cobham, back left Vintage Wine, back centre Gardenview Scarlet Monarda: Common Names: Bergamot, Bee Balm.

Aromatic plants with whirls of flowers on stems reaching 45-75cm tall. The flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees and hoverflies, hence the other common name. The aroma of the leaves is reminiscent of oil of bergamot orange; the flavouring in Earl Grey tea.

There are lots of varieties out there and to be frank a lot are similar to each other. All our photos are taken here in our garden and as always we haven't fiddled with the colouring!

Most Monardas prefer moist soil in sun or light shade. Some may be affected by mildew in dry conditions, but most will adapt to dry conditions and perform very well. We find freshly planted specimens are prone but once established they are mildew-free. We also sell the newer mildew resistant (slightly affected) and mildew free varieties. These seem to be free of mildew in the ground, although in pots as nursery stock it is well nigh impossible to keep them free in late summer. Squaw has never been affected by mildew in our garden.

They spread by running stems on or just under the soil to form clumps up to 2ft 6in across in 2 years. Propagate by division in autumn or spring. Cut back hard after flowering to encourage more blooms.

Please note, our plants are not suitable for eating, infusing nor medicinal use.

Read about making the most of Monardas for winter interest in our Garden Diary entries for September 2009 and December 2010.

We grow a very large choice of varieties. Some are very similar to others we must admit!

Monarda Adam: A good old variety that is fairly short (in our garden) at about 2ft 6in tall. Flowers July - September. I just love the russet colouring of the upper leaves.

Monarda Aquarius: Pale lilac flowers on stems reaching 2-3ft / 60-90cm. One of the newer mildew resistant varieties, although we have found that some moisture at the roots is needed to avoid problems. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Balance ("Libra"): Rosy pink flowers reaching 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm. Another mildew resistant variety. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Beauty of Cobham Good old variety with pink flowers and showy purple bracts. One of our favourites. Mildew resistance has been pretty good in our dry garden.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Photo: Monarda Beauty of Cobham with Phlox Franz Schubert.

Monarda Croftway Pink: Up to 3ft tall with bright pink flowers and pinkish bracts. Flowers July - September.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Earl Grey: Only 2ft tall and subdued and subtle crimson. Leaves are purple tinged. Flowers June - September.

Monarda Elsie's Lavender: Pale lavender and quite short at around 2ft tall in our garden. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Fishes ("Pisces"): Pale pink. Mildew resistant. 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Gardenview Scarlet: One of the best scarlet red Monarda. Very mildew resistant. 2ft 6in - 3ft tall. Flowers July - September.

Caused a real sensation amongst garden visitors this year.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Gewitterwolke ("Thundercloud"): Deep purple red. Lovely dark green foliage. Quite mildew resistant. 2ft 6in - 3fy tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Jacob Cline: Brilliant scarlet flowers on tall, mildew resistant plants getting to 4ft - 5ft tall. Flowers June - September

Monarda Mahogany: Rich red. 2t 9in tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Marshall's Delight: Pale purple flowers. 2t 9in tall. Flowers July - September.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Mohawk: Purple flowers with deep purple bracts . Mildew free in the ground in our experience. 2t 6in tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Neon: Glowing pink with ruby bracts. 3ft tall. Flowers July - September. Similar to Beauty of Cobham but taller with smaller flowers but showier bracts.

Monarda On Parade: Magenta florets with very lovely crimson bracts. 2t 6in tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Othello: Deep crimson, short and compact. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Pink Lace: Compact and healthy - 2ft tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Pink Supreme: A bit taller at 2ft 6in tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Pink Tourmaline: 3ft tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Prärienacht ("Prairie Night"): Deep purple red. 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Raspberry Wine: A new variety with wine-red flowers. 3ft 6in / 90cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Sagittarius: Deep lilac. Mildew resistant. 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Saxon Purple: Very deep purple and around 2ft 6in tall. One of the most asked about in our garden

Monarda Scorpion: ("Scorpio"): Deep rose. Mildew resistant. 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Snow Queen: White with a slight hint of pink. Mildew resistant. 2 - 2ft 6in / 60-70cm tall. Flowers July - September.

Monarda Squaw: Brilliant scarlet. Reaches 2ft 6in - 2ft 9in / 75-80cm and flowers in July - September. Completely mildew free in our experience.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Talud: Incredibly vivid pink flowers in July - September - my camera doesn't really capture the colour very well. About 3ft 6in tall. Distinctive soft, slightly hairy leaves.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Twins: New to our range this year and I'm still trying to work out how it differs from "Aquarius" (see above).

Monarda Vintage Wine: Wine red. Reaches 2ft 6in - 2ft 9in / 75-80cm and flowers in July - September.

Monarda Violet Queen: Mid violet. 2ft 6in tall. Flowers July - September.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Monarda Violette: Deep violet. 3ft tall. Flowers July - September.