Product Description
Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' PP34371 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat
Leading Lady Series
Common Name: Bee Balm
Bee Balm typically bloom in midsummer, but 'Leading Lady Amethyst' leads the way in early summer, flowering earlier and forming a more compact clump than other Bee Balm. This variety typically blooms from early summer (first week of June in Michigan) into midsummer and grows just a foot tall. 'Leading Lady Amethyst' produces light amethyst purple flowers with darker interior spots on its petals.
'Leading Lady Amethyst' is well-behaved in the garden, it stays where you plant it and doesn't run around. The blossoms have sweet nectar that is highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and honeybees and the aromatic foliage is naturally deer resistant.
Monarda can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade, however. Most monardas multiply rapidly either by underground stems or self-sowing. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time.
Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with monarda. Some varieties are more resistant to it than others. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.
Height: 10-14 Inches
Spread: 18-22 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun to Part Shade
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early to Mid Summer
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Mass Planting, Small
Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' (Bee Balm) is a compact, vibrant perennial with fragrant, purple-pink flowers that bloom in early summer . This cultivar is part of the Leading Lady series, known for its mildew resistance and compact habit . It is a North American native plant that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
- Compact Habit: This Monarda grows 10-14 inches tall and 18-22 inches wide, making it ideal for smaller gardens and containers.
- Early Blooms: 'Leading Lady Amethyst' blooms earlier than other Monarda varieties, typically in early summer.
- Fragrant Flowers: The showy, purple-pink flowers have a delightful fragrance that attracts pollinators.
- Attractive Foliage: The green foliage provides a lovely backdrop for the vibrant blooms.
- Mildew Resistance: This cultivar exhibits good resistance to powdery mildew, a common problem with Monarda.
- Pollinator Magnet: Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to the garden.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Unpalatable to deer and rabbits.
Growing Conditions and Care Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' prefers full sun to part sun and thrives in moist, well-drained soil . It is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, as long as it is consistently moist.
Here are some essential care tips:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms and prevent self-seeding.
- Dividing: Divide every 3 years to maintain plant vigor and prevent overcrowding.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth.
- Pruning: Cut back to the ground after flowering to encourage new growth and reduce the risk of powdery mildew.
Landscape Uses This versatile Monarda is a great choice for:
- Borders: Adds a vibrant pop of color to the front or middle of borders.
- Containers: Its compact size makes it perfect for container gardening.
- Cottage Gardens: Blends well with the informal style of cottage gardens.
- Pollinator Gardens: Attracts beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Rain Gardens: Tolerates moist soil conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens.
Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' is a beautiful and low-maintenance perennial that offers a long season of color and fragrance. Its compact habit, early blooms, and mildew resistance make it a valuable addition to any garden. Whether planted in borders, containers, or as part of a pollinator garden, this Monarda is sure to impress.
(20) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 4.25 inches deep x 2.75 inches wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
