Bring in the bees with bergamot

Bring in the bees with bergamot

It’s no secret why lemon bergamot is also known as bee balm. As the name suggests, bergamot is a balm to bees – they love it!

The busy little insects are drawn to colours like blue and purple, which is why plants like lavender, rosemary, Thai basil and, of course, lemon bergamot are so attractive to them. And also the reason all of these plants are often included in our Bee Mix – a bundle of bee-friendly seedlings.

Both the leaves and flowers of lemon bergamot are edible. The leaves can be used fresh in teas, wine and lemonade, or chopped in salads on fish dishes and more. And the fresh flowers can also be scattered on dishes like salads.

Pick up a bundle of Awapuni lemon bergamot plants from your local supermarket, Bunnings or The Warehouse. Or if you prefer shopping from the comfort of your own home, head to www.awapuni.co.nz and order some plants from our online shop.

Bergamot will tolerate full sun if the soil retains moisture but it prefers semi-shade. When you’ve found the right spot with the right conditions, I recommend digging in some compost to the soil before you plant. This will help give the seedling a good kick start of nutrients.

Once your plant is established you can pick the leaves and flowers as you desire. If you’re planning on drying the leaves, harvest them before the flower opens. And if you want to dry the flowers, cut them as soon as they’re fully opened.

Lastly, if you’d like to bring even more bees to your garden don’t forget to check out our bee mix.

Henri Ham
Awapuni Nurseries
www.awapuni.co.nz

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