Photos: Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet' (Bergamot)

This fabulous plant is highly aromatic when its leaves are brushed against. It carries these flamboyant red flowers in summer, just beginning to open when photographed on 15 July 2005.

Unfortunately its leaves seem particularly susceptible to powdery mildew. It prefers to grow in moist soil, and perhaps if kept moist the mildew problem can be avoided.