Monarda didyma 'Mixed' Seeds

Monarda didyma is a clump-forming Hardy Perennial (H4). It is a reliable performer in the UK, dying back to the ground in winter and shooting back up with vigorous fresh growth every spring, slowly expanding to form a large, impressive colony.

The Moisture Lover: Monarda is famous for its shaggy, "crown-like" flower heads, but it is also known for its love of moisture. To prevent powdery mildew—a common issue in dry UK summers—ensure the soil remains consistently damp and avoid planting it in exceptionally dry, sandy spots.

Biodiversity Star: Listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, it is a high-value nectar source. The tubular flowers are perfectly adapted for long-tongued bumblebees and butterflies, making your borders come alive with movement.

Monarda is easy to raise from seed, though it requires a little patience to establish into its full flowering glory.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to May. Surface sow the seeds onto moist seed compost. Do not cover the seeds with soil (or use only the finest dusting of vermiculite) as they require light to trigger germination. Keep them at 20°C; seedlings typically appear in 10-21 days.

Where to Plant:
They thrive in full sun or partial shade. Monarda is one of the few flowers that actually prefers heavy clay soil that stays damp, making it an excellent choice for difficult parts of the garden or woodland edges where the light is dappled.

Ongoing Care:
To keep the plants vigorous, divide the clumps every three years in early spring. Replant the healthy outer sections and discard the old, woody centre. A thick layer of mulch (compost or bark) applied in spring will help lock moisture into the soil and keep the foliage lush and mildew-free.

Monarda's unique shaggy appearance looks spectacular when paired with structured plants from our range:

• 🍂 Rudbeckia 'Autumn Forest': The Prairie Look. The warm bronze and golden tones of Rudbeckia contrast beautifully with the vibrant reds and pinks of Monarda. Both thrive in similar UK garden conditions and provide a robust late-summer display.
• 💜 Verbena Bonariensis: The Pollinator Pair. Create the ultimate nectar station by planting these two together. The airy, see-through purple wands of Verbena float above the dense, leafy clumps of Monarda, adding height and movement to the border.

Sow indoors in spring; plants typically flower fully from their second year onwards.