Lemon Bergamot (Monarda citriodora)

1 well-established plant in a  9cm pot, sent in plastic-free packaging. A highly aromatic, visually striking herbaceous plant, prized for its intense citrus fragrance, purplish floral whorls, and extraordinary value to summer pollinators.

Short-lived Perennial (often grown as Annual) | 60/90cm tall | Full sun | Edible citrus-scented foliage and flowers | Premium pollinator forage and drought-tolerant

We grow Lemon Bergamot to have an abundant supply of lemon-scented leaves for herbal teas, and the pretty nectar source that attracts a large number of pollinators to the garden. Harvesting is simple: pinch off the tender young leaves and stem tips throughout the growing season. These leaves can be used fresh or dried to brew a deeply soothing, citrusy herbal tea. In mid-to-late summer, the vivid pink and purple tubular flowers can be plucked and used as a sweet, highly aromatic edible garnish. It’s a nectar-producing heavyweight. The tubular blooms are perfectly evolved for long-tongued insects, acting as a massive draw for foraging bumblebees, solitary bees, and butterflies.

Monarda citriodora is native to the sunny, dry prairies of North America. It needs a position in full sun and well-draining soil to be overwintered. While it will tolerate a variety of soil types, it thrives in light, sandy, or chalky soils that do not become waterlogged during the colder months. Holding an RHS H4 hardiness rating, this plant is technically frost-hardy down to -10°C, but its root system is highly susceptible to winter wet. Consequently, in the UK, it is most frequently cultivated as a hardy annual or short-lived perennial. It is highly resilient to summer heat and drought once established. Maintenance simply involves deadheading the spent blooms to encourage a prolonged flowering season, though leaving a few flower heads in autumn will allow it to readily self-seed for the following year.

To create a stunning, drought-resistant, and pollinator-friendly border, pair Lemon Bergamot with other prairie-style and aromatic plants. Excellent companions include Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), and the fine, feathery foliage of Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare).

Delivery Information

All plants are carefully packed and sent in plastic-free packaging to protect both the plant and the environment. Plants are dispatched promptly so they arrive fresh, healthy, and ready to plant.

We ship orders using a tracked 24-hour delivery service, helping to minimise time in transit and reduce stress on the plant. Orders are packed by hand at the nursery, and we aim to dispatch early in the week to avoid delays over weekends.

If you have any questions about delivery timing or combining orders, please get in touch before ordering and we will be happy to help.

To find out more about other plants for your garden visit – https://dyfiplants.substack.com