Monarda 'Leading Lady Plum'

Description

Bee balm is the common name for Monarda, which 'Leading Lady Plum' certainly lives up to, with butterflies and other pollinators flocking to its sweet nectar when blooming from late Spring through Summer. 'Leading Lady Plum' is a more compact, clumping form of Monarda. Foliage is fragrant, densely branched, dark green, and deeply veined. Blooms are held by deep purple bracts and burst with intricate magenta petals. Open petals display a fine spray of dark purple spots.

Uses

Monarda 'Leading Lady Plum' is incredibly versatile and well-behaved, in that it won't spread throughout the garden as other bee balms tend to do. With both foliage and flowers having fragrance and visual interest, 'Leading Lady Plum' makes a wonderful border or edging plant and is stunning when mass planted. Monarda 'Leading Lady Plum' is also well-suited for container planting either on its own or within larger combinations, and both flower and foliage are perfect for fresh cut fragrant floral arrangements indoors.

Care

Full sun positions are best, although light shade or part sun is tolerated. Without enough light, the Monardas tend to spread more quickly and flower less. Monarda prefer moist soil rich in organic matter but will still grow and flower very well in average soil. Soil or potting mix should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. Hand watering is also recommended so the foliage is less likely to get wet.

Free flowing air is important, so if mass-planting, keep an eye on its dense branch growth and thin out if necessary, to ward off powdery mildew.

The flowering period is longer in cooler climates, and deadheading spent blooms also assists. In good conditions, after the first flush of flowers passes full bloom, 'Leading Lady Lilac' will produce a second flush of flowers above the first and extend the colour display to early Autumn.

Wear gloves & wash hands after gardening.