Monarda 'Elsie's Lavender' (Bergamot 'Elsie's Lavender')

Botanical name

Monarda 'Elsie's Lavender'

Other names

Bergamot 'Elsie's Lavender', Beebalm 'Elsie's Lavender', Bee balm 'Elsie's Lavender', Oswego tea 'Elsie's Lavender', Horsemint 'Elsie's Lavender'

Genus

Monarda Monarda

Variety or Cultivar

'Elsie's Lavender' _ 'Elsie's Lavender' is an upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped, pointed, toothed, aromatic, semi-glossy, dark green leaves and erect stems bearing dense, whorled clusters of two-lipped, tubular, lavender to lavender-pink flowers in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Leaves are aromatic.

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Purple-pink in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly. Cut back or remove in autumn.

Propagation

Lift and divide every three years to maintain vigour.

Propagation methods

Division, Basal cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Monarda 'Elsie's Lavender' (Bergamot 'Elsie's Lavender') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out in summer. Protect from excessive winter wet. This cultivar is more resistant to mildew than older cultivars.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Monarda 'Elsie's Lavender' (Bergamot 'Elsie's Lavender')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/