Citrus bergamia bergamot
bergamot
An evergreen citrus tree or shrub thought to be a cross between a lemon and bitter orange. Growing in cultivation to around 2.5m tall with fragrant, dark green, glossy foliage this hybrid produces scented white flowers in spring and round to pear-shaped fruit that ripens from green to yellow ready for picking in the winter. Fruits have a rough, often ribbed skin and produce fragrant bergamot oil in the rinds which has been used in perfumes and notably for flavouring Earl Grey tea blends. The zest and juice of the fruits may be also be used as a culinary flavouring
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Green | ||
| Winter | Green | Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by grafting or budding
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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