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Information and photo supplied by:
Kate Jacobsen D.I.P.Soc,P.F.A.
Waitati Gardens
Coromandel Town, NZ | Botanical name: Monarda
Common name: Bergamot, Beebalm, Oswego tea
Origins: Native to North America and known in various forms as Bergamot, Beebalm, Oswego tea.
Comments:
The monarda has annual and perennial forms and widely differing scents/perfumes. Leaves of some smell like stuffing and indeed may be used for cooking, others have lemon scent, wonderful for pot pourri. There are annual and perennial forms with a wide height range but the perennial varieties must be watched as they can gallop away with great enthusiasm if not reduced each year but, this sin becomes an advantage to fill rough areas or provide bold areas for landscapes.
Monarda "Lambada"
Although described as a half hardy perennial after two years trialing I am unable to have this beautiful plant winter over so feel it is best described as an annual.
A summer/autumn plant its flowers are typical lamiaceae form, soft lavender/pink whorls on upright stems on a bushy base branched plant.
Approximately 90cm tall Monarda "Lambada" blends beautifully with grey artemesia, lavender, delphiniums and plum nicotiana, add a shot of lime green nicotianas or green envy zinnias and edge with alchemilla mollis and you will enjoy a stunning border from summer through to autumn. It's early April and ours are still attracting attention from garden visitors.
From a florists point of view it is not suitable as a commercial cut flower which is going to be handled for unfortunately it is one of the varieties which smell like a lovely herby stuffing and so is not much good for a hospital patient, but for an arrangement that is not going to be handled/moved it is excellent with good height, colour, form and lasts well. It is a reasonably good dried flower and takes colour spray.
I am also awaiting with anticipatiion the flowering of a new monarda. Monarda "Gardenview scarlet" a first N.Z. release.
Sources
Most perennial nurseries stock Monarda in a range of varieties.
Monarda "Lambada" available from Amber Nurseries, cnr Thornton/St Kilda Rd, Cambridge
ph: 07 827 6259
Monarda "Gardenview scarlet" is being released by Peak Perennials Toop St, Havelock North ph: 06 877 6051 fax: 06 877 6067 |
