Monarda Mahogany - Bee Balm - Compact - ORG

Monarda ‘Mahogany’, also known as the bergamot plant, stands out for its unusual, tubular flowers in a deep, dark red to purplish-red color, surrounded by dark bracts. If you rub the leaves briefly, you’ll notice a fresh, herbaceous scent reminiscent of bergamot. Bees and butterflies have no trouble finding the flowers and keep returning to them all season long.

Thanks to its upright growth habit, ‘Mahogany’ works well at the back of a border or in an informal, prairie-style planting. It pairs beautifully with Rudbeckia, ornamental grasses, or Echinacea, creating a border that comes alive in midsummer.

A Fragrant Bergamot Plant for the Summer Border

This bergamot plant prefers to grow in full sun to light partial shade, in humus-rich, moisture-retaining soil. It tolerates short dry spells well but does not like wet soil in winter; therefore, choose a spot with good drainage.

After flowering, you can prune the plant back to a few centimeters above the ground. This keeps it healthy and improves air circulation, which reduces the risk of powdery mildew. Also, ensure a well-ventilated location and avoid watering from above. Every two to three years, you can divide the clump, which promotes the plant’s vigor.

The flowers appear from July through August. This way, Monarda ‘Mahogany’ adds a dark red, fragrant splash of color to the border right in the height of summer.

The plant is delivered in a compact pot. This means you’ll receive a young plant that’s already well-rooted, which you can plant directly in the garden once the soil is ready for planting.