The leaves of Lemon Bergamot can be added fresh to salads or harvested for drying before flowering. It makes a nice tea. The purple-pink flowers can be cut for arranging. With a lemony aroma this vigorous plant (Monarda citriodora) can reach to 75cm tall. Grow as an annual.
🌱 Seasonal Growing Guide
SPRING: either in early spring in trays or individual pots, cover with perlite. If you can give this some warmth it will help germination, or sow later in spring without heat. When large enough to handle harden off and plant out 45cm apart.
SUMMER: harvest leaves for drying or for adding to salads before the plant flowers. They can make a nice tea.
LATE SUMMER/AUTUMN: cut flowers at their peak, petals can be scattered on salads
Although this plant can be a biennial you will get the best flavours from the first year’s young growth so grow as an annual.
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