February 2021 - 27

MARKETING
Monarda is also a great summer
plant that attracts pollinators: bees,
butterflies and hummingbirds.
GPN: How long has your
organization been involved in the
development of monarda varieties,
and what has been your role in the
development, marketing, and/or
sale of monarda?
Hans Hansen: I have been
working with monardas at Walters
Gardens since 2009. I have brought
in as many species as possible, and
received germplasm from a network
of friends that I collaborate with.
Using species that other breeders
had not concentrated on brought
diversity to our monarda lineup. In
addition to combining genes from as
many different and useful traits as
possible, we do extensive inground
and container trials for disease
resistance, vigor, garden value, and
ease of nursery production.
Zoltan Kovacs: Dümmen Orange
has been involved in new monarda
development since 2016. We are
developing new varieties with more
compact habit, which can be used
for smaller landscape areas as well.
Newly developed compact varieties
have also better foliage and flower
colors, which thrives in retail stores.
GPN: What are your personal
favorite attributes of monarda? Any
favorite varieties?
Hans Hansen: My personal
favorite traits in monarda are
attractive new growth in the spring,
contrasting floral bracts, their ability
to attract bees and butterflies, and
their tie to the American prairie.
My personal favorite is monarda
'Electric Neon Pink', a breeding
breakthrough with its height, intense
flower color and mildew resistance.
Regina Coronado: It blooms all
summer, attracts pollinators and is
deer resistant. The leaves have a
special scent. With bright flowers,
monarda provides great accent
to combination planters or in the
garden. Some of my favorites:
Pocahontas, 'Pardon my Purple',
'Pardon My Cerise'.
Zoltan Kovacs: Monarda is an
excellent garden focal point. They
are perfect summer perennials with
strong scent. Unusual flower forms
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makes monarda stand out in the
garden. Two of the best monarda
series are Pocahontas, a super
compact series; and Balmy, a
medium compact series.
GPN: What changes and
innovations have you seen over
the years within the monarda
category?
Hans Hansen: An increased
selection in cultivars with
applications to the middle and
front of the garden border
(Sugarbuzz series, Pardon My
series). Historically, gardeners
have had cultivars like 'Jacob Cline',
a very tall variety best suited to
the back of the border. The more
refined habits of new selections
lend themselves to areas where the
detail of the flowers and interaction
with pollinators can be more closely
observed. With the addition of
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February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2021
