Wild Bergamot 2020

Started: April 1

First year plant from seed, no flowers. Seed sown April 1st, this picture was taken July 13th.

Size: 2-4 feet high by 2-3 feet wide

Location: Full to partial sun, dry to medium soil

Native to: Ontario

Why did I choose it? This native species is of special value to bumblebees. It attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. It is a great companion plant because it attracts so many pollinators. 

Uses? The lemon scented oil can be used to scent soap (hopefully in the future).

Specifics: As a member of the mint family it will form large spreading clumps. Give it a good open location with plenty of sun and air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. It is a perennial to zone 4 and will produce lots of babies if you don't deadhead and let it go to seed. 

Hawthorn’s germination rates are 83% and I did get a good amount of plants from the seed packet. 

Wild Bergamot seedlings sown on April 1st. This picture is from May 7th. They took a very long time to come up and get to any reasonable size.

May 21st, still quite small

This seed requires cold stratification to germinate properly. 

Cold stratification: Sprinkle seeds on half of a moist paper towel. Fold the paper towel in half covering the seeds. Fold into a square that will fit into a plastic sandwich bag and seal. Place the bag in the fridge for 30-60 days. Then remove from the fridge, unfold and sprinkle the seeds lightly on the soil surface. Cover with a bit of soil and water. 

You can also sow the seeds in fall for natural cold stratification or very early in the spring. 

Personal Notes: It didn't bloom in the first year, which is typical, so we’ll see what we get this year. 

Next up Cabbage