Bee Balm ‘Bergamo’
Monarda hybrida
Description
This easy-to-grow annual churns out enormous amounts of stems that are wonderful bouquet fillers and have the scent of Earl Grey tea. With whorl-shaped blooms and unusual coloring—a mix of green, gray, and purple—it has become a staple summer filler plant, used much like Bells of Ireland. The blooms attract beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 20 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 20 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when flower whorls begin to turn from green to purple. It’s especially wilt prone, so be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Details
Description
This easy-to-grow annual churns out enormous amounts of stems that are wonderful bouquet fillers and have the scent of Earl Grey tea. With whorl-shaped blooms and unusual coloring—a mix of green, gray, and purple—it has become a staple summer filler plant, used much like Bells of Ireland. The blooms attract beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 20 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 20 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when flower whorls begin to turn from green to purple. It’s especially wilt prone, so be sure to cut during the coolest part of the day to minimize wilting. Immediately after harvest, dip the bottom few inches of the stems in boiling water for 7 to 10 seconds, or use Quick Dip, then place into cool water. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
