The bee balm — and one of the most aromatic perennials in the range. Monarda didyma Mixed produces shaggy, whorled flower heads in a vibrant mix of scarlet, pink, lavender, and white, each releasing a powerful bergamot-and-oregano fragrance at the slightest touch — a scent that fills the garden on warm summer evenings and is irresistible to bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbird hawk-moths. Monarda didyma — Hardy Perennial (H7) Height: 60–90cm | Flowers: June–August Sow indoors February–April; surface sow, needs light Full sun to partial shade; moisture-retentive soil Divide every 3 years to maintain vigour Outstanding pollinator plant — bees, butterflies, hawk-moths Grow it with Echinacea and Agastache Liquorice Blue for a mid-border combination of aromatic perennials that hums with wildlife from June to September.
