Monarda Hybrids

Monarda Hybrids

Monarda Hybrids Monarda Hybrids

This N American genus contains about 15 species of annuals and clump-forming perennials, found mainly in prairies, dry scrub, and woodland. Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa, and their hybrids, such as 'Cambridge Scarlet' are deservedly popular as garden plants. The brightly colored flowers attract butterflies and, where present, hummingbirds; when dried, individual florets make a colorful and fragrant addition to potpourris. Monardas are known as bergamots, because their aroma resembles that of the bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia See, Bergamot Orange), and also as horsemints. Monarda fistulosa was widely used by native N Americans for bronchial complaints and as a seasoning for meat, and M.punctata was listed in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia (1820-82) as a digestive and anti-rheumatic. The volatile oil is rich in thymol (as found in Thymus vulvaris, See Thyme), a potent antiseptic and expectorant; M. didyma is famous as the source of "Oswego tea", named after and area near Lake Ontario, where it grew abundantly. Other species include the mauve-flowered M. austromontana, with oregano-flowered leaves, used with meat dishes in Mexico. Also oregano-like is M. fistulosa var. menthaefolia, rich in geraniol, a compound more commonly associated with Pelargonium species (See, Wild Geranium). Monarda is named after Nicholas Monardes of Seville, a physician and botanist who was author of the first European book on American medicinal plants, translated into English in 1577 as Joyfull News out of the newe founde Worlde.

Erect perennial with ovate, toothed leaves, to 14cm (5½in) long, and tubular, claw-shaped flowers, to 5cm (2in) long, produced in whorls usually with red-tinged bracts in summer.

Common Name:

Monarda Hybrids

Genus:

Monarda

Family:

Lamiaceae

Cultivation:

Rich, moist soil in sun (Monarda didyma); sandy or rocky soil in sun (M. citriodora); light, dry, alkaline soil in sun (M. fistulosa and M. punctata). M. didyma is prone to mildew in dry conditions.

Propagation:

By seed sown in spring or autumn; by division in spring; by softwood cuttings in early summer.

Harvest:

Plants are cut when flowering, and leaves before flowering, and used fresh or dried for infusions.

Height:

90cm (36in)

Width:

45cm (18in)

Variations:

Adam Has cherry red flowers.	Aquarius Has broad, light violet flowers and deep violet-tinged bracts.	Balance syn. Libra Has bright pink flowers; highly resistant to mildew.
Beauty of Cobham Has purple-tinged foliage, pale pink flowers, and purple-pink bracts.	Blaustrumpf syn. Blue Stocking Has deep violet-purple flowers and purple bracts.	Cambridge Scarlet Has bright red flowers and brown-red bracts.
Croftway Pink Has clear pink flowers and pink-tinged bracts.	Elsie's Lavender Has gray-green leaves, light lavender flowers, and light green bracts.	Fishes syn. Pisces Has bright green leaves, rose-white flowers, and green to white, sometimes pink-tinged bracts. Height: 80cm (32in)
Loddon Crown Has dark red-purple flowers and purple-brown bracts.	Mahogany Has wine-red flowers and brown-red bracts.	Ou Charm Has light rose-pink flowers and red-brown bracts. Height: 80cm (32in)
Pawnee Has soft lilac flowers and light green bracts; mildew resistant	Schneewitchen syn. Snow Witch Has pure white flowers and green bracts.	Scorpion syn. Scorpio Is vigorous, with bright magenta flowers.
Snow Queen Has very large heads of white flowers, and light green bracts.		Squaw Is similar to 'Cambridge Scarlet' but taller and more resistant to mildew. Height: 1.2m (4ft)

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