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Herbaceous Perennial

Monarda didyma Balmy Lilac ('Balbalmac'^PBR) (Balmy Series)

bergamot [Balmy Lilac]

A compact, clump-forming perennial to 30cm tall, with lance-shaped, aromatic, dark green foliage. From mid-summer to early autumn each upright stem carries a whorl of two-lipped, tubular, light purple flowers with decorative, purple-flushed bracts

Synonyms

Monarda didyma 'Balbalmac'^PBR

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Monarda can be annuals or clump-forming herbaceous perennials with aromatic, ovate leaves and terminal whorls of 2-lipped, tubular flowers from summer to early autumn
Name status: Trade

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Protect from excessive winter wet and do not allow to dry out in summer. Lift and divide every three years

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring, before new growth begins, or by basal softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadheading regularly should encourage more flowers. Cut stems down to the ground in autumn, or leave seed heads for winter structure

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, especially in spring

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in hot, dry weather, though this variety is said to show good resistance

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