Monarda
– Bergamot, Horse Mint, Etc.
Hardy Perennial.
Eighteen inches to two feet.
Flowers scarlet, July and August.
A good “old-fashioned” border plant,
with scented leaves and red flowers in whorls,
something in the manner of the wild Archangel
or dead Nettle. It is absolutely hardy and very
indifferent as to soil and aspect; but this should
not be a reason for relegating it entirely to
the bad corners of the garden. Plant good clumps
of root in February or early March.
The best-known
kind is M. didyma; M. rosea has flowers of rose
colour; M. alba is a white variety. The clumps
may stand for several years before they are divided;
keep clean of weeds, remove the dead litter at
the autumn clearance, and give a share of the
annual top-dressing of old manure, leaf-mould,
turf and ashes.
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