page 13 monarda

Monarda

Scientific Name : Monarda Common Name : Bergamot, Bee Balm. Blooming Season : Spring, Summer Plant Habit : Upright Water : Medium Position : Sun Height : 30inches

About This Plant Monarda flower colors include pink, red, and white; new double-flowered forms are also available. The plant blooms from early to late summer and grows 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety. Some Monarda species tolerate wet soil and will thrive along a waterway or in a bog garden. Aromatic plants with whirls of flowers rich in nectar and attract bees and hoverflies, hence the other common name. This aroma is said to deter rabbits. Monardas work well mixed with both cool and hot colours. The heads are large and showy making a great focal point in a border. There are lots of varieties of Monarda and flowers are brilliant additions to late-summer herb gardens and flower borders. Butterflies, bees, and other nectar-seeking creatures covet the tubular flowers on the plant's rounded flower heads, Site Selection Select a site with full sun to light shade and rich, well-drained soil. Some species tolerate wet soils, while others are adaptable to a wide range of soil moisture levels. Plant in spring or Autumn, spacing plants 1 to 2 feet apart. Prepare garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant's container. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the rootball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly. Care Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Remove spent flowers to keep plants looking tidy. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line. Divide plants in spring every few years or when you notice the center of the plant dying out.

Alton Aresford Burley

Emsworth Cosham Ellingham & Ringwood

Odiham Petersfield Ringwood

Southampton Southsea Winchester