Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ – Red radiance and a feast for pollinators

The Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’, or red bergamot, is a spectacular and vigorous perennial, renowned for its vibrant bright red flowers and its strong resistance to mildew. An essential variety for naturalistic gardens and flower beds, it offers long and abundant blooms that irresistibly attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Its bold pompom-like flowers top aromatic foliage that releases a lemony scent when crushed. In addition to being hardy and easy to grow, this variety tolerates ordinary soils and humidity well.

Characteristics:

• Type: Hardy perennial

• Common name: Monarda, bee balm, Oswego tea

• Height: 90 to 120 cm

• Width: 60 to 90 cm

• Flowering: July to September

• Flower color: Intense bright red

• Foliage: Dark green, aromatic, deciduous

• Scent: Lemony foliage, slightly spicy flowers

• Habit: Upright, bushy, and dense

Growing conditions:

• Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Rich, fresh to moist, well-drained

• Watering: Regular, especially during dry periods

• Hardiness: Excellent (down to -30 °C)

Maintenance:

• Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming

• Cut back to the ground in autumn

• Divide the clump every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and aeration

✦ Use:

• Ideal for countryside borders, perennial borders, or pollinator gardens

• Superb in combination with echinaceas, phlox, rudbeckias, and grasses

• Edible leaves: used in infusions (taste similar to bergamot)

• Excellent choice for a food garden for insects and birds

Good to know:

‘Jacob Cline’ is one of the most vigorous Monardas and resistant to foliar diseases, especially mildew, which can affect other varieties.

Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ is pure vitality and color in a plant that is as useful as it is ornamental. A real hummingbird magnet for your garden!