Monarda 'Leading Lady Lilac' PP26431 CPBR5565

Leading Lady Series

Common Name: Bee Balm

Bee Balm typically bloom in midsummer, but ‘Leading Lady Lilac’ leads the way in early summer, flowering earlier and forming a more compact clump than other Bee Balm (like ‘Pardon My Purple’). This variety typically blooms from early summer (first week of June in Michigan) into midsummer and grows just a foot tall.

'Leading Lady Lilac' has densely branched, dark green, somewhat glossy foliage and is topped with light lilac purple blossoms coddled by purple bracts. A fine mist of dark purple spots appears on the open petals. After the first flush of flowers is passing full bloom, a secondary flush blooms above the initial flowers, extending the color show into midsummer.

‘Leading Lady Lilac’ is well-behaved in the garden, it stays where you plant it and doesn’t run around. The blossoms have sweet nectar that is highly attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and honeybees and the aromatic foliage is naturally deer resistant.

Height:

10.0-14.0 Inches

Spread:

22.0-28.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Pink shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer Midsummer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic Rain Garden

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Cut Foliage Fragrant Flowers Fragrant Foliage Mass Planting Small

Origin:

Native to North America

Monarda can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade, however.

Most monardas multiply rapidly either by underground stems or self-sowing. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time.

Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with monarda. Some varieties are more resistant to it than others. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistantly moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew.

Characteristics