Melissa officinalis 'Citronella'
Lemon balm
Common names: Citronella lemon balm, Bee balm
Photo: Lazaregagnidze · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The 'Citronella' variety emits a particularly intense lemon scent and produces a refreshing, calming tea. The perennial is hardy, reliably regrows each spring, and is popular with bees and children alike.
Care instructions
Plant the lemon balm in a half‑shaded to sunny spot with nutrient‑rich soil. Harvest the leaves between June and September, preferably before flowering, when the aroma is strongest. After flowering, cut the plant back hard once to keep it fresh and bushy. In a pot it does not spread as much as in the garden.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, loamy, well-drained
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
particularly well establishedYou will find that basil next to tomato and pepper improves taste and keeps whiteflies and aphids away.
For example PotatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberryChili and 8 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example White cabbageRadishKalebroccolicauliflowerbeet greens and 33 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
Rather not
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?