Monarda didyma (Labiatae), Bergamot, Beebalm, Panama Mixed

I sowed these hardy perennial seeds from a packet of Mr Fothergill’s three years ago, I’ve given plants away to others & still have plenty for my garden. It flowers the first year after sowing, so this is my 2nd year of flowers. This variety grow to 90cm so are great for planting around a buddleia as the next layer down & they don’t mind partial shade, although they prefer full sun. It likes well drained soil but it isn’t particularly drought tolerant (prone to powdery mildew) which is also why I have mine under the buddleia in partial shade.

Their high nectar yield attracts pollinators: RHS recognise it as a plant for pollinators, you can see from the pics with even a few flowers left on the seed heads bees are still visiting, hence the common name ‘Beebalm’.

Not only are the flowers aesthetically beautiful & fragrant, the plant has other uses: the flowers are edible & can be used in salads & baking; the leaves (although not a true Bergamot) can be used in tisanes (tisanes are ‘teas’ not made from the Camellia sinesis bush that makes true tea). The leaves are also a great for pot pourri.

A great perennial to grow from seed…why grow annuals time & time again when you can just grow once with a perennial, it is much more sustainable? Why buy a perennial if you’ve got the time to grow it from seed & potentially have 20 plants for the price of 1? I’ve a number of plants for a fraction of the price of buying one perennial, Yorkshire through & through you see!

@just.me.in.my.garden