Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Rockin Raspberry'

Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Rockin Raspberry': Raspberry Reverie

With its vivid magenta-raspberry blooms and midsummer punch, Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Rockin Raspberry' makes a bold statement in sunny garden beds. The densely packed, shaggy flowers stand proudly atop upright stems, creating an electrifying contrast against its clean green foliage. This compact and mildew-resistant cultivar attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in abundance, adding both ecological value and dynamic colour to the landscape. Its tidy habit and long bloom time make it a standout in the mid-border or pollinator planting.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 50–60 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Vivid raspberry-magenta
• Flowering Period: July to August
• Foliage: Aromatic medium green leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil

Uses and Benefits: Ideal for pollinator gardens, midsummer borders, or meadow-style plantings where vibrant colour and wildlife support are prized. Its compact form works well in small spaces or containers. Highly resistant to powdery mildew, this variety is reliable even in humid conditions, and its nectar-rich blooms are irresistible to beneficial insects and hummingbirds.

Companion Plants: Pair with Coreopsis 'Sunkiss', Veronicastrum virginicum, and Panicum 'Prairie Fire' to create a vibrant, multi-layered planting that offers movement, long bloom, and contrasting forms.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for best colour and mildew resistance. Keep soil evenly moist, especially in hot summers. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a tidy appearance and extended flowering. Cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour and airflow.

History: Developed by Walters Gardens, the 'Sugar Buzz' series showcases compact, colourful monardas bred for superior mildew resistance and vibrant summer display. 'Rockin Raspberry' is one of the most saturated and vivid in the series.

Final Thoughts: A thrilling hit of colour in the summer garden, Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Rockin Raspberry' is both a visual and ecological powerhouse—compact, reliable, and always buzzing with life.