Bee Balm - Lemon Bergamot
Monarda citriodora

Name: Bee Balm - Lemon Bergamot
SKU: S1614
Rating: 0 (0 reviews)

SKU # S1614

Product Type: Seed Packet

Approximate Seeds Per Packet: 180

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$3.00

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Prairie Bergamot it once was called, for this native flower is found growing readily in dry meadows. It has jumped the picket fence, however, to find a new home in informal cottage gardens. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the large upright blooms and we love the sweetly lemon-scented leaves. Provide support.

Lifecycle: Annual

Hardiness: Hardy Annual

Size: 1-3' h x 1-1.5' w

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Regular, well-drained

Season: Summer

Seed to Bloom: 14-16 weeks

Color: Lavender pink

Growing Guide
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Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

Depth: Barely cover.
Sprout Time: 10-30 days
Starting Indoors: Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Keep at 65-70°F .
Starting Outdoors: Direct sow after last frost.

When to Set Outside

After last frost.

Placement & Cultivation

Also known as purple horsemint, this native plant is perfect for naturalizing various locales, as it does well in most any soil that is well-drained, though it prefers one that is sandy or rocky. A great addition to the herb garden, it also does well in containers. May self-sow to excess in optimal conditions; harvest blooms to prevent excessive seedlings the following year.
Final Spacing: 2'
Water Use: Medium Water Use
Watering Details: Keep moist until plants are established, then provide water during especially dry spells. Regular watering will help promote more flowering.
Soil pH: Prefers neutral to alkaline pH levels. If soil is very acidic, mix in some lime, bone meal, or hardwood ash prior to planting.
Fertilizer: Mix in a couple of inches of compost prior to planting.
Diseases & Pests: Mildew can be prevented by thinning and allowing for good air circulation. Keeping soil evenly moist will also help to prevent this problem.

Plant Description

Plant: Stiff, squared stems sporting lance-shaped leaves up to 2.5” in length. Leaves on upper stems sometimes present in whorls.
Seeds: The flower will turn into an interesting brown mass with many tubules containing tiny brown seeds. Self-sows.
When to Cut: When flowers are nearly open. Harvest leaves at any time.

Fun Fact

Some monardas are referred to as beebalm, referring to use of the leaves as a balm for bee stings. The Latin-derived specific epithet citriodora comes means having a scent of citrus.

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Number of Comments 1

Average rating:

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Bees love the bee balm Sunday, November 22, 2020

By manchester, CT

Select Seeds Confirmed Purchase

The goldfinches love them too.

I am a beginner gardner. I bought a bunch of seeds to grow this year. This bee balm did the best in my garden, and I got a few compliments from my neighbors and family, asking what it is so they could grow it.
The blossoms lasted all summer, into fall. I finally cut them down this weekend (November 20th in zone 6a CT) and there were parts that had purple on them still, even though we had a few inches of snow earlier this month.
Also, there was such a drought this year that I didn't really water my plants at all to save water. Such a hardy plant!
I can't wait to grow more!

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Bee Balm - Lemon Bergamot
Monarda citriodora

Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

Plant Description

Fun Fact

Ratings & Reviews

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Bee Balm - Lemon Bergamot Monarda citriodora

Growing Guide

Sowing Instructions:

When to Set Outside

Placement & Cultivation

Plant Description

Fun Fact

Ratings & Reviews

Notify Me

Email A Friend

Bee Balm - Lemon Bergamot
Monarda citriodora