Lemon Bergamot Perennial Bergamot Herbs Seeds - West Coast Seeds

PRODUCT DETAILS

Monarda citriodora. Lemon Bergamot has a wonderful taste and lemony aroma, but it is usually grown as an ornamental or for its cut flowers. Lemon Bergamot seeds are easily started and produce knee-high plants with masses of tiered pink and purple blossoms from August until frost. Lemon bergamot can self-sow, and its seeds are easy to collect for seed saving. The flower stems are very attractive in bouquets as cut flowers, and the dry well. The dried flowers can be used in tea. All bergamots are highly attractive to honeybees and other pollinators.

• Wonderful taste and lemony aroma
• Produced tiered pink-purple blossoms
• Flowers cut and dry well
• Very nice as cut flowers
• Blossoms from August until frost

All About Lemon Bergamot

Latin

Lemon Bergamot: Monarda citriodora, Wild Bergamot: M. fistulosa

Family: Lamiaceae

Difficulty

Easy

Season & Zone

Season: Warm season

Exposure: Full sun

Hardiness: M. citriodora to Zone 5, M. fistulosa to Zone 3.

Timing

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in early spring when a light frost is still possible. Seeds can also be direct sown in the fall, as the first frost approaches. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 15-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-40 days. Bottom heat will speed germination.

Starting

Barely cover the tiny seeds with soil. Thin or space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart. These vigorous perennials will grow in, closer together over time.

Growing

Any ordinary garden soil will work. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Where summers are long, plants are prone to mildew, so avoid overhead watering. Deadhead regularly to prolong the blooming period. These perennial plants spread by rhizome growth, and should be dug and divided every three years.

Harvest

Pick the leaves as desired for fresh use in the kitchen. For drying, harvest leaves before the flowers open. Cut flowers for drying as soon as they’re fully open. Masses of tiered pink-purple blossoms grow from August until frost.