• Attractive scarlet flower
• Aromatic herb
• Grows well in the garden
• Attracts bees and butterflies

Named after the Spanish botanist Nicholas Monardes, this variety with its shaggy and aromatic red heads is a popular garden perennial and looks particularly stunning in a mixed border where it attracts bees and butterflies throughout the summer

Plant Care

• Height: 60 – 100 cm
• Type: Hardy
• Aspect: Sun
• Soil: Any/alkaline
• Flower colour: red
• Flowering period: July – September

This strikingly beautiful perennial is hardy in the UK, but can suffer in soils that become very wet in winter, so is better suited to well drained positions. It can tolerate a bit f shade, but on the whole prefers the sun. It is very prone to powdery mildew and a site that isnt crowded with plants helps this by allowing some air circulation around the leaves. As a herbaceous perennial it dies down completely in a autumn and regrows again in spring. It does well in pots.

Usage

The beautiful scarlet flowers and look amazing added to summer drinks and fresh fruit salads. The slightly mint tasting leaves can be used salads and fruit dishes.
Both flowers and leaves can be infused in hot water or honey to help with coughs and colds, and both can be added to a bath or herbal steam for inhalation to help with congestion. All parts can be dried for future use by hanging out of direct sunlight and storing in an airtight container.