Overview

Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night' is a perennial in the genus Monarda, part of the Q53476 family. It typically grows around 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include ornamental, pollinator garden and cut flower. It is native to North America.

About

Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night' is a perennial bee balm reaching about 1.5 m with a spread of roughly 1 m, notable for its minty, aromatic foliage. It flowers from June to September and prefers full sun in soils that are well-drained to moist but well-drained. It tolerates sandy, loamy and clay soils and is fully hardy (H7) in the UK. Use it in pollinator borders or as a cut flower where its scent can be appreciated.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Monarda fistulosa

About the genus

Monarda is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The genus is endemic to North America. Common names include bergamot, bee balm, horsemint, and oswego tea, the first being inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange.

Wikipedia contributors, "Monarda", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Monarda

In the garden

Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night' is a North American perennial in the Monarda genus that grows to about 1.5 m and spreads to roughly 1 m. The plant has minty, aromatic foliage and produces its main display between June and September. Planting in a sunny position will give the best flowering, while soils may range from sandy to loamy or clay provided they drain; it will also tolerate sites that remain moist so long as water does not sit around the roots. This cultivar is fully hardy to H7, so it will overwinter reliably across the UK; the USDA range 4–10 underlines its tolerance of both colder and warmer temperate climates. Allow about 1 m between plants to accommodate its mature spread and position specimens towards the middle or back of a mixed border where the height is useful. It suits pollinator gardens and ornamental beds and can be cut for summer vases during its June–September flowering period. The foliage releases a clear minty aroma when brushed or lightly crushed, which makes the plant particularly rewarding when sited beside paths or seating where the scent can be enjoyed.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Monarda

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil moisture

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Exposure

Full sun

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Height

1.5 m

Spread

1 m

Suggested uses

Ornamental, Pollinator garden, Cut flower

Native to

North America

Fragrance

Minty, aromatic

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Monarda fistulosa 'Prairie Night'

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage bushiness and prevent legginess

Propagation

Division, Seed

Frequently asked questions

More in the Monarda genus

• 
  Monardabergamot
• 
  Monarda 'Bergamo'
• 
  Monarda 'Cherokee'
• 
  Monarda 'Deep Purple'bergamot 'Deep Purple'
• 
  Monarda 'Petite Wonder'
• 
  Monarda bradburiana
• 
  Monarda didymabergamot
• 
  Monarda didyma 'Adam'Crimson Beebalm