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Monarda still in slumber
BenDover
Posts: 488
I planted Monardas last year and they gave a good show other than a bit of mildew. They died down over winter, and I cleared the dead growth in March and eagerly waited their return, however, they are stubbornly not showing any growth yet. I thought they'd all given up the ghost, but I pulled a bit out the other day and at root level, they still appear alive, as there was some live shoots (which were red) underground. Are Monardas just slow growers or are they truly on their way out? I did buy some more to replace but then when I saw the they still looked alive, planted them elsewhere in garden. I appreciate its been a bit cold but most other things in the garden are getting on with growing.
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I thought mine were dead too, but they have just started to show some life.
I've got a hydrangea which obviously also seems to enjoy a long lie-in in the Spring. All the others have plenty of growth but not a sign on this one. I nearly dug it out last year because I thought it was dead. Luckily I thought to do a scrape test on it and it was definitely just kipping!
IMO, Monardas are one of those fickle plants. If they like you they romp away, if not, they sulk and die.
In my garden, they like a moist semi shaded position.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Truly fickle puncdoc, mine sit in clay wet soil in winter and come up each year and bloom in hot sun and dry soil all summer!
Hi aym280 - they were shop bought last year. Found on another gardening website that Monardas can be a bit late appearing in the border in the spring whilst everything else romps away, so I think I just need to be a little more patient. Just aweek since my original post and still nothing showing, not even a hint. How patient does one have to be?
Will leave be.
Unfortunately, because of the way my garden is, I only get around 4 hours max of direct sunshine on each of my borders at any one time. I'm on a 'modern' development, so the garden is a postage stamp, and surrounded by six foot fences on three sides, and house on the other. My garden faces east, so by around 4pm most of the garden is in shade because of the house. My neighbour has generously removed two large trees from his garden thats on the south side of the garden that's increased the amount of light, but still not direct sunlight. I know I'm probably pushing what I can put into the garden in terms of plants that enjoy full sun, but I experiment every year to see what works or what will cope.
I have a path that runs along the border, and the monarda is on the edge so border so benefits from the heat of that, even when the sun has gone around the corner. I like it there because it maximises the amount of light it gets, it very upright plant so doesn't flop all over the path, and when brushing passed it, get a nice whiff of bergamot.
Have checked this morning - no signs of life (yet).
The purples seem OK here, lots of new growth, but we lose the pinks and all the reds, Cambridge Scarlet, Gardenview Scarlet have not re-appeared.