Product Description
Monarda 'Leading Lady Amethyst' PP34371 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat
Leading Lady Series
Common Name: Bee Balm
A Monarda bradburiana hybrid, she leads the way in early summer, flowering earlier and forming a more petite clump than common M. didyma cultivars. She typically blooms from early summer into midsummer and grows just a foot tall. Her densely branched, dark green, somewhat glossy foliage is topped with orchid pink blossoms and lighter pink interiors providing a bicolor effect. A fine mist of fuchsia spots appears on the open petals.
'Leading Lady Orchid' behaves like a lady in the garden-she stays where you plant her and doesn't run around. Her blossoms' sweet nectar is highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and honeybees and her 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: 10.0-14.0 Inches
Spread: 22.0-28.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: Pink shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Sunlight: Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early to Midsummer
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Mass Planting
Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid' is a delightful perennial, offering an abundance of vibrant orchid-pink flowers in a compact form. This bee balm cultivar is a fantastic choice for those seeking to enhance their gardens with early summer color and attract pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds.
Characteristics This bee balm cultivar typically blooms from early summer into midsummer, reaching a height of about a foot. Unlike other bee balms, 'Leading Lady Orchid' is known for its early blooming, leading the way with its vibrant display of color. It forms a compact clump, with a spread of 22-28 inches, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or containers. The plant boasts densely branched, dark green foliage with a subtle gloss. Its most captivating feature is the profusion of orchid-pink blossoms with lighter pink interiors, creating a stunning bicolor effect. A delicate sprinkle of fuchsia spots graces the open petals, further enhancing its visual appeal. Notably, 'Leading Lady Orchid' exhibits mildew resistance, a significant advantage for gardeners concerned about this common Monarda issue.
'Leading Lady Orchid' is a well-behaved garden resident, staying put where planted and not spreading aggressively. The blossoms offer sweet nectar that serves as an irresistible invitation to butterflies, hummingbirds, and honeybees. The aromatic foliage acts as a natural deterrent to deer, making it a suitable option for gardens frequented by these herbivores.
Care Requirements Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid' thrives in full sun or partial shade. While it prefers fertile soil with an alkaline to neutral pH, it can also flourish in average soil conditions. Ideally, the soil should be rich, organic, and moist, mimicking the plant's natural habitat along riverbanks. Good drainage is crucial, as excessive winter wet can be detrimental to the plant. Maintaining consistent moisture is essential, particularly during the summer months, to prevent the soil from drying out.
To prevent powdery mildew, a common fungal problem with Monarda, especially in humid conditions , ensure ample air circulation around the plants. Deadheading spent blooms not only prolongs the blooming period but also encourages new growth. Dividing the plants every 2-3 years helps maintain their vigor, prevents overcrowding, and promotes overall health. For optimal plant health, cut the plant to the ground after flowering to stimulate the growth of new, healthy shoots and leaves. While generally easy to grow, Monarda requires active maintenance, such as dividing and deadheading, to thrive and prevent issues like mildew.
Spacing the plants 24-28 inches apart is recommended for optimal growth and air circulation. Fertilizing is rarely necessary, but if desired, a granular garden fertilizer can be applied in early spring.
Uses Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid' is a versatile plant with a variety of applications in the garden. Its compact size makes it a perfect fit for the front of borders, containers, and small gardens. It can also be used as an accent plant or massed together for a bold display of color. The fragrant flowers and foliage make excellent cut flowers for bouquets, adding a touch of elegance and aroma to indoor spaces.
This cultivar is a valuable addition to pollinator gardens, attracting beneficial insects like butterflies and hummingbirds with its sweet nectar. Its deer and rabbit resistance makes it a suitable choice for gardens where these animals are a concern. When planted with the 'Pardon Me' series, the 'Leading Lady' series extends the blooming period in the garden, providing an extended display of vibrant colors.
Potential Problems While Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid' is generally a low-maintenance plant, it can be susceptible to certain problems. Powdery mildew, as mentioned earlier, is a common issue, particularly in humid conditions or when air circulation is poor. Powdery mildew appears as a white or grayish powdery coating on the leaves and stems, potentially causing leaf distortion, yellowing, and premature leaf drop.
Other potential problems include:
- Aphids: These small insects suck sap from the plant, causing stunted growth and distorted leaves.
- Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause stippling on the leaves and, in severe cases, leaf drop.
- Thrips: These slender insects feed on plant tissues, leading to discoloration and distortion of leaves and flowers.
- Whiteflies: These small, winged insects can cause yellowing and wilting of leaves.
- Cercospora leaf spot: This fungal disease causes brown or black spots on the leaves.
- Rhizoctonia crown rot: This fungal disease affects the crown and roots of the plant, leading to wilting and dieback.
- Rust: This fungal disease appears as reddish-brown pustules on the leaves.
To minimize the risk of these problems, provide good air circulation, water appropriately, and avoid overhead watering. Regularly inspect the plants for signs of pests or diseases and take appropriate action if necessary. Cleaning up old stems and foliage in late autumn can help prevent mildew from overwintering in the garden.
Monarda 'Leading Lady Orchid' is a charming and valuable addition to any garden. Its compact size, early bloom time, and attractive flowers make it a versatile and low-maintenance plant. By following the care requirements outlined in this article, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of this lovely bee balm cultivar for years to come. Its unique combination of early flowering, compact growth, and resistance to mildew makes it a standout choice among Monarda cultivars, offering both visual appeal and ecological benefits to any garden setting.
(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!
