Scarlet Bee Balm / Wild Bergamot (Monarda didyma)
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Also known as Bergamot, a vivid, shaggy-flowered herb beloved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds where they range. Its aromatic leaves have a long history of use in teas.
🌿 Details
How to look after Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) in the UK
Position & Light:
Grow in full sun or partial shade. Also known as bergamot, scarlet bee balm is a vivid, shaggy-flowered herb with aromatic leaves and bright scarlet flower heads from midsummer to early autumn, loved by bees, butterflies and hoverflies. It suits herb gardens, sunny borders, cottage gardens, prairie-style plantings and wildlife gardens.
Soil & Watering:
Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Monarda dislikes drying out, so water regularly in dry spells, especially in summer. Mulch around the base with compost or leaf mould to retain moisture.
Feeding:
Give a balanced fertiliser or a mulch of well-rotted compost in spring. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which can encourage lots of leaves and fewer flowers.
Pruning & Maintenance:
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. Cut back stems to the base in autumn or early spring. Divide clumps every two to three years in spring to maintain vigour and to prevent the centre dying out. Pick leaves and flowers for herbal teas and salads through summer. Allow good air circulation between plants to reduce mildew.
Common Problems:
- Powdery mildew: Very common, especially in dry soil and crowded plantings. Keep the soil moist, mulch and allow air circulation.
- Wilting: Caused by dry soil. Water well in dry weather.
- Dying out in the centre: Divide clumps every two to three years.
- Few flowers: Too much shade or too much nitrogen. Choose a sunnier spot.
- Slugs: May damage young shoots in spring.
Supplied bare root, carefully packed with a moisture source to ensure freshness.
Plant height: approximately 10cm.
Please remember that most plants (except Evergreens) are dormant in Autumn/Winter so your order may have no leaves until Spring.
🪴 What Does Bare Root Mean?
Our plants have their full root systems but are carefully removed from the pot and soil before delivery.
The roots are wrapped in moist material and eco-friendly packaging to keep them fresh during transit.
It's less messy, reduces waste, and allows the plant to settle into your garden more easily once planted.
🌱 Sustainably Grown in Britain
Plants are sustainably grown and harvested at our nursery in the South West UK, without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
Packaged using biodegradable materials for an eco-conscious delivery.
📜 Certified & Compliant
We are APHA-authorized for Plant Passports: your assurance that our plants are healthy, pest-free, and meet UK plant health regulations.
🚚 Combined Postage & Fast Dispatch
No extra delivery charge when you buy multiple plants from us! Simply add all the plants you love to your basket and pay one flat delivery fee at checkout.
Shipped via UPS Express, so they are in transit for less than 24 hours: includes care cards tailored to each plant you order.
Orders are sent out at the beginning of each week to reduce time in transit,
see Delivery information.
📌 Planting Advice
Upon arrival, plant immediately in a cool, shaded spot (indoors or outdoors) and water thoroughly.
Once new growth appears, move to the final growing location.
💚 Our Guarantee
If your plant doesn't survive delivery*, just send us a photo and we'll send a replacement (or issue a refund).
No hassle, no worries.
* provided you accept the first delivery attempt