Monarda (Wild Bergamot)
at Digging Dog

Including Monarda didyma Jacob Cline and Monarda x Violet Queen

Monarda

Wild Bergamot/Beebalm

This genus was named after Dr. Nicolas Monardes, a Spanish physician whose Joyfull Newes Out of the New Founde Worlde was the first book to be published about the flora of the Americas. A summer blooming member of the Mint family, everything about this plant is intriguing.

Excellent in arrangements, its jaunty whorls of Sage-like blossoms and decorative bracts attract butterflies and hummingbirds while holding our interest even in winter. Lining erect and robust stems, its opposite leaves are deliciously scented.

An engaging addition to the border or a meadow setting, Bergamot offers a pleasing contrast to the more undefined forms of the garden, as well as to the linear aspect of grasses. Happiest in moist, fertile soil, Monarda’s dense clump needs to be divided every 2 to 3 years. The following cultivars exhibit excellent resistance to powdery mildew.

Zone 3/4.

Monarda x ‘Coral Reef’    

Celebrating a sassy mop of brilliant coral pink blooms, this new must-have selection comes from the Morden Breeding Program in Manitoba, Canada. ‘Coral Reef’s whorled Salvia-like flowers sport prominent green centers and green bracts, while its tidy, more compact habit is similar to ‘Marshall’s Delight’.

Slightly polished dark green foliage sets off the hot floral presentation that can be sprinkled near Penstemon ‘Blue Midnight’ and Eryngium ‘Big Blue’ for an energetic combination. Zone 3/4. (pp#16,741)

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2-1/2'–3' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Monarda x ‘Coral Reef’ (P-1661)
Each $6.75
Add to Cart

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’  

Deemed by many gardeners to be “the best red,” this showy Monarda was discovered way down south growing along Georgia’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Cloaked in rich dark green leaves, its tall sturdy stems stage a blazon display of large, red, tufted flowers poised on dark maroon leafy bracts.

Blooms late June–September.

Size: 4'–5' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’ (P-1126)
Each $6.75
Add to Cart

Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’  

Awarded top honors at a recent Chicago Botanical Garden trial that included nearly 40 other Monarda varieties, ‘Raspberry Wine’ will be a winner in your garden as well. Its upright stand of strong leafy stems gives way to long blooming flowers flaunting fanciful tops, each delicately perfumed and saturated with vibrant wine-red hues. Zone 3/4.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2-1/2'–3' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Monarda ‘Raspberry Wine’ (P-1600)
Each $6.75
Add to Cart

Monarda x ‘Violet Queen’  

Crowning red-tinged bracts, this Monarda’s vivid lavender-violet flowers will reign in your garden. Its downy soft, grayish green foliage makes a pleasing, fragrant base for the colorful and curved, tubular blooms.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2-1/2'–3' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Monarda x ‘Violet Queen’ (p-1128)
Each $6.75
Add to Cart