Bee balm at crocus
by Diane - July 10th, 2012.Filed under: Crocus.
Monarda hybrida ‘Bergamo’
bee balm
Position: full sun or partial shade
Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Rate of growth: average
Flowering period: June to August
Hardiness: fully hardy annual
A compact annual form producing whorls of pinkish purple flowers around the
upright stems throughout summer. Highly attractive to bees, butterflies and
other beneficial insects, it is easy to grow and will often be in bloom within
a few months of sowing. The flowers are edible and look very pretty sprinkled
over salads or puddings, while the crushed foliage can be used to repel insects.
Garden care:Under glass, surface-sow in late winter to late spring in deep
pots or trays filled with good seed compost and keep warm. Thin when large enough
to handle and plant outside in spring after gradually hardening off. Alternatively,
sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in late spring or late summer or
early autumn and thin to 30cm intervals as they grow. Plants sown in late summer
or autumn will flower earlier than those sown in spring. Dead-head regularly
to prolong the flowering period.
Sow: Jan-Mar or Aug-Oct
Flowering: June-August
Approximate quantity: 50 seeds
Eventual Height: 0.7m
Eventual Spread: 0.2m