Bergamot
Monarda
An ornamental plant, sown in April.
In September: cut back the bergamot.
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Bergamot, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Lift and divide the bergamot. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the bergamot stems back by a third to a half. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the bergamot back hard after flowering. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none |
| Cut back the bergamot. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in April, 5mm deep. Moderate sources: Gardeners’ World and Urban Farmer.
Plant a pot-grown bergamot, 45cm apart. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Lift and divide the bergamot
Every 3 years, not every year.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: RHS.
Cut the bergamot stems back by a third to a half
Gardeners call this the Chelsea chop.
Usually May. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Cut the bergamot back hard after flowering
Gardeners call this the Hampton hack.
Almost to the ground, straight after its first flowers. Fresh leaves follow, and often a second flush of flowers.
Usually June to July. Moderate source: RHS.
Cut back the bergamot
Cut the stems down to the ground.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Bergamot” comes from.