Bergamot Prairie Night - Monarda menthifolia 'Prairie Night'
Type: Perennial
Bergamot is originally from North America, and was used by native Americans, who brewed a strong palatable tea from it. The dark pink, red and purple flowers smell pleasantly of oranges, and as a plant, they are a fabulous addition to the flower border, both for their attractive flowering habit and as they attract bees.
Bergamot Prairie Night is a perennial that grows best in soil that stays damp in the summer, however it dislikes damp winters. Preferring sun, Bergamot Prairie Night or Monarda menthifolia 'Prairie Night' has lance-shaped, green, aromatic foliage, and from mid-summer to early autumn, it bears whorls of purple flowers on upright stems.
The uses of bergamot are mostly in the culinary department, where fresh young leaves can be used sparingly in a salad, fruit salads and fruit drinks, and five or six large fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried leaves in 8 ounces boiling water make a refreshing and relaxing tea. Bergamot has an affinity to pork and will improve the flavour of most pork dishes if added during cooking.
Height 1.2m