Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
mo-NAR-dah fistulosa
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Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-forming in the Lamiaceae Family
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Discover the vibrant beauty of Wild Bergamot, a native wildflower that attracts pollinators with its stunning purple blooms. Perfect for gardens and meadows, it brings a splash of color and fragrant charm to every landscape! |
About Bee Balms
Bee balm is the garden's firecracker—bold, fragrant, and buzzing with life. Its wild, shaggy blooms look like nature’s punk rock hairdo, and pollinators can’t get enough. Hummingbirds? Obsessed. Bees? Ecstatic. You? Delighted. There are several native Monardas, and a growing number of cultivars... All are low-maintenance, and smells like minty heaven. Grow bee balm—your garden party just got a headliner. Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to the North Carolina mountains, it may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway flowering during the summer months.
Monarda smells very similar to the rind of a Bergamot Orange, one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea. You’ll smell the spicy herbal notes on the air if you get anywhere near this plant, and its leaves can be used in salads or a tea of its own to enjoy more of this unique scent.
This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Bee balm can reach a height of 4 feet and will spread rapidly by underground stolons. Blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and the leaves have a minty aroma when crushed.
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Pros
Illinois Native
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Plant Data |
Mature Size |
3 - 4 feet
tall. 24 - 36 inches
wide.
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Sun Exposure |
Partial Shade - Full Sun |
Moisture Tolerance |
Medium |
Zones |
3a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -40° F)
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Tags |
Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Fall Color, Formal Garden, Fragrant, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Illinois Native, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Pond, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
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Bloom Period |
July to September
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Flower Color |
Pale purple
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Animals That Use It |
Nectar:
Seeds:
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Most Popular Plants |
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Absolutely Easy Garden Recipes that include Wild Bergamot |
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Related Articles |
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More Info from Experts |
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Commonly Planted with...
Echinacea, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, Anise Hyssop, Joe Pye Weed, Catmint, Bee Balm, Goldenrod, Aster, and Lavender.
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Photos of This with...
Queen Anne's Lace
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