| Botanical name | Monarda didyma |
|---|---|
| Plant Care |  Full Sun Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day.  Semi Frost Hardy Semi Frost Hardy – Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures.  Moderate Watering Moderate Watering – Requires Regular Watering.  High Maintenance High Maintenance – Requires Regular Maintenance.  Pruning Required Pruning Required – Needs to be Pruned.  Non Indigenous Non Indigenous – Exotic to South Africa. |
| Size | |
| Categories | |
| Flowers | January February October November December It bears dense, whorled heads of red or pink flowers in summer. |
| Common name(s) | Bergamot, Bee balm |
| Origin | |
| Foliage | The aromatic leaves are mid-green and hairy. |
| Maintenance | Deadhead to prolong flowering and cut the plant down to ground level in autumn. |
| Soil conditions | The soil should be rich, moist and sandy. |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Uses | The petals of the flower and leaves can be added to salads and various other dishes. |
| Interesting info | The flavour in Earl Grey tea comes from the bergamot orange, which grows around the Mediterranean. |
| Propagation | Propagate by stem or root cuttings and from seed. Divide clumps every third year in spring or autumn and space them about 600mm apart. |
| Other languages | Oswegotee (A) |
| Harvest | Pick the leaves in spring or summer and pick the flowers when they open. |
Monarda didyma (Bergamot, Bee balm)
- Botanical name: Monarda didyma
- Common name(s): Bergamot, Bee balm
- Categories: Ground Covers and Perennials
Plant description:
This herb spreads fairly rapidly. The aromatic leaves are mid-green and hairy. It bears dense, whorled heads of red or pink flowers in summer. Deadhead to prolong flowering and cut the plant down to ground level in autumn. Divide clumps every third year in spring or autumn. (The flavour in Earl Grey tea comes from the bergamot orange, which grows around the Mediterranean.)
Botanical Pronunciation: muh-NAR-duh DID-ih-muh
Monarda didyma requirements and features
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Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.
January February October November December
It bears dense, whorled heads of red or pink flowers in summer.
The aromatic leaves are mid-green and hairy.
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