Unfairly unknown to gardeners, cooks or herbal tea lovers, garden tea is a pleasant plant to sow in the coming weeks. You will thank us this summer.
The dragon’s head owes its name to the shape of its flower, reminiscent of the wide open mouth of the mythical animal. The flowers are grouped in loose terminal clusters, and the first to taste its multiple benefits are the pollinating insects, because they are honey-producing and rich in nectar. If we know it by its other name of Moldavian lemon balm, in addition to its geographical origin, it is for its light aroma and delicate flavor: flowers and leaves are used in cooking to flavor raw vegetables, fish, fruit salads and the desserts. Its strongly lemony smell is known to perfumers who use its essential oil. Finally, garden tea is so named for the refreshing drinks and infusions it gives.
Garden tea: In the Garden
In the garden as well as on the balcony, it is an ornamental plant for the summer. Native to Eastern and Central Europe, but also to Asia, it is very resistant to cold (-5°C); although biennial, it is cultivated as an annual. The slightly distracted observer could mistake it for a perennial; this is because it reseeds itself spontaneously until it forms large squares.
Sowing
To avoid the cold, we do a first sowing in a warm place with a view to planting in April-May depending on the region. Subsequently, the calendar allows you to do one or even two additional sowings in summer to have new plants, with much better tender leaves. But pinching produces the same effect.
Sow in a warm place from February-March at 18-22°C. Germination takes 10-12 days, and growth is rapid.
When the seedlings have two true leaves (i.e. not counting the cotyledons which are the first to emerge), transplant before they compete for light and wither. Place in individual buckets, preferably those made of compressed peat so that you no longer have to handle them later. Keep warm and under a good source of light, until heat returns, for repotting or planting. The temptation is to do without the small work of sowing and to buy plants already grown around April-May for direct planting, as we do for aromatic plants. This is a good calculation, but garden tea is still uncommon and its plants are rarely offered. When planting, respect a spacing of 50 centimeters between two feet.
The Location
Shelter from cold drafts and as much warmth as possible for this little chilly girl, even in the South where summers are hot. Heat, moreover, enhances the production of essential oil and reinforces its aromatic nature. However, it tolerates lightly shaded situations and up to partial shade well. In this case, it tends to lie down and its flowering becomes sparse, but as you are growing it for its leaves, it doesn’t matter.
The Right Soil
Ordinary garden soil is enough for him. It will be even more generous if you have added a slow-release organic fertilizer in autumn. In summer, keep the soil cool at all times but without excess water. Mulch is the best system to get through the hot months.
The Multiplication
Sowing, sowing and only sowing. However, it has been pointed out that in open ground, garden tea reseeds spontaneously. Let flowers then set seeds at the end of summer and keep the plants in place until October and beyond, even if they are no longer decorative, this is a guarantee that the seeds will be fully ripe. You can also harvest some to resow next year: cut the dead stems in September and shake over a clean cloth or sheet of paper to collect the fine seeds.
The Harvest
The first leaves are harvested after a month in the ground, but it is better to collect only the leafy ends during the first pinching and wait another month until the plants are more developed. They are used fresh, and finally in summer and early autumn on larger harvests, you can dry them for the winter. This is the case for almost all aromatics: suspend all watering 10 to 15 days before harvest , a period of temporary drought enhances the production of essential oil.
Garden tea
Latin name: Dracocephalum moldavicum
Other names: Dragon’s head, Moldavian lemon balm
Family: Lamiaceae
Garden tea is an annual plant growing in bushy clumps of 60 centimeters.
Its stems with a quadrangular section bear slightly toothed leaves, covered with a fine down, soft to the touch, lanceolate to oval, of a beautiful green-grey. The 3 to 4 centimeter labiated flowers are deep blue to slightly purplish. There is a variety with white flowers.
All parts of the plant are aromatic, they give off a subtle lemony aroma.
- Doctor’s garden tea
It is more of a plant of comfort and well-being, its infusion is digestive and calming, like many Lamiaceae, a large family providing digestive, diuretic and hepatic plants. But it also has antiseptic, antioxidant and liver stimulating properties.
- Moldavian lemon balm in a pot
Repot directly in a 25 cm diameter pot to give the plant its comfort. Then, do as in the garden. It is advisable to support growth with monthly fertilizers for flowering plants. Think about the pinches!
- A little more tea?
French tea or red tea, red monarda (Monarda didyma) completes the world of garden teas. It is a rhizomatous plant, very hardy, whose flowers and leaves are edible and very honey-producing. They release a nice smell of bergamot and mint. Rich in essential oil, it relieves bronchitis and colds when inhaled.
- Never sick
Moldavian lemon balm has no proven disease or parasites. On the contrary, its aromatic properties seem to keep insects away, including undesirable ones in the vegetable garden. Plant it here and there, among vegetable crops and flower beds.
