Monarda 'Violet Queen' (Bergamot 'Violet Queen')

Botanical name

Monarda 'Violet Queen'

Other names

Bergamot 'Violet Queen'

Genus

Monarda Monarda

Variety or Cultivar

'Violet Queen' _ 'Violet Queen' is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous perennial with aromatic, purple-flushed, dark green leaves and, from midsummer to early autumn, whorls of tubular, two-lipped, purple-pink flowers with dark purple bracts.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Foliage is aromatic

Habit

Bushy, Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Purple-pink in Summer; Purple-pink in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green, Flushed purple in Spring; Flushed purple, Dark-green in Summer; Flushed purple, 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 to prolong flowering. Root basal cuttings in spring.

Propagation

Lift and divide in every three years.

Propagation methods

Division, Basal cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Monarda 'Violet Queen' (Bergamot 'Violet Queen') will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Bees (attract & feed bees), Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, Wildflower, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Protect from excessive winter wet and do not allow to dry out in summer.

Soil type

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

Soil drainage

Moist but 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, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Monarda 'Violet Queen' (Bergamot 'Violet Queen')

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/