Monarda 'Bergamo'

Prized in the garden for its ability to attract butterflies by the dozen and bloom over a long season with very little care from you, Monarda is a mainstay of the sunny annual bed, containers, and even the vegetable garden, where it brings in "good bugs" such as pollinating bees! 'Bergamo' takes all those merits and adds three more: mildew resistance, very early blooms, and beautiful new color!

These long, flower-packed spikes begin opening just 8 to 10 weeks after the seeds sprout. They combine lilac and rosy-violet shades for an intense, dark color that really stands out, especially against the rather light green foliage. 'Bergamo' is blooming by late spring in most climates, and continues through summer without a rest.

'Bergamo' reaches 20 to 28 inches tall and about 12 to 15 inches wide, so it is compact enough for flowerpots and tubs as well as the garden. Cut all the blooms you like for indoor arrangements -- you know there are plenty more coming from this vigorous, very hard worker!

Developed in Holland, this seed variety won the 2008 Fleuroselect Gold Medal in Europe, the top honor awarded to a flowering seed. We are delighted to make it available to American gardeners this season. Begin your own butterfly garden, keep those vases filled, and enjoy rich, intense dark color all summer with this super-easy Bee Balm!

Direct-sow into the warm spring soil, or begin indoors about 4 weeks before last frost. Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart. Pkt is 50 seeds.