A natural occurring cross with dark red flower heads.
Pronunciation
(mo-NAR-da)
Plant Type
All Plants, Perennials Hardy
Hardiness Zone
3-9
Sunlight
full
Moisture
average, in moist sites they will expand rapidly becoming aggressive and invasive
Soil & Site
average
Flowers
flower head consists of tubular flowers in a single or double row whorl around the center, deep red
Leaves
opposite, pointed and have a scent
Stems
four angled stems
Roots
fibrous
Dimensions
3-4 feet tall, spreads as far as you let it
Maintenance
After blooming cut back to the ground. Cutting back eliminates the bare knee stems and the mildew laden leaves. Monarda dies out in the center and needs to be divided every 2-3 years. Dig healthy clumps and replant or dig out center and fill with compost. The plants will rapidly regrow. Should be placed behind a plant that will cover up the space left when Monarda is cut back. All Monarda are prone to get mildew but the newer cultivars are said to be mildew resistant. I doubt if any are totally resistant.
Propagation
easy from division, cuttings
Cultivar Origin
Discovered by Don Cline as a natural cross.
Misc Facts
The genus was named after Nicolas Monardes a 16th century botanist.