SOWING INSTRUCTIONS
Depth:
Barely cover 1/16"
Seed To Bloom:
14-16 weeks
Starting Indoors:
Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. A sprinkle of vermiculite over seed trays will increase humidity for good germination. Keep at 65-70°F .
Starting Outdoors:
Direct sow after last frost.
PLACEMENT & CULTIVATION
Also known as purple horsemint, this native annual is at home in meadow plantings, hard-to-plant slopes, and herb and cottage gardens. Adaptable, lemon bergamot grows and spreads readily by self-sowing in most soils as long as they are well-drained. Lemon-scented flowers are humming with native bees and alive with fluttering butterflies and hummingbirds all summer. They are also a boon to cooks for their citrus-flavored leaves and add a bright, spicy note to tea infusions and salads. Flower petals can be plucked and scattered on salads or whole stems cut for bouquets. Deadhead, leaving some to self-sow.
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:
Not as susceptible to powdery mildew as other species, however space apart for good air circulation and healthy plants.
When to Cut for Bouquets:
When flowers are nearly open. Harvest leaves at any time.
