Botanical name
Monarda ‘Cambridge Scarlet’
Other names
Bergamot ‘Cambridge Scarlet’, Bee balm ‘Cambridge Scarlet’, Beebalm ‘Cambridge Scarlet’, Oswego tea ‘Cambridge Scarlet’
Genus
Monarda
Variety or Cultivar
‘Cambridge Scarlet’ _ ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with lance-shaped, pointed, toothed, aromatic, dark green leaves, often flushed bronze, and erect stems bearing dense, whorled clusters of tubular, two-lipped, scarlet flowers in summer.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Leaves are aromatic.
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect flower stem, Upright
COLOUR
Flower
Scarlet in Summer; Scarlet in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
HOW TO CARE
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs
Specific diseases
Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly. Cut to the base in autumn.
Propagation
Divide every three years.
Propagation methods
Division, Basal cuttings
WHERE TO GROW
Monarda ‘Cambridge Scarlet’ (Bergamot ‘Cambridge Scarlet’) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Prairie planting, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in humus-rich, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out in summer. Protect from winter wet.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
