Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
mo-NAR-dah fistulosa

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming in the Lamiaceae Family
A tough, aromatic prairie native with rounded clusters of lavender-pink flowers that bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can't resist all summer.
Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) is one of the most widespread native Monarda species in North America, found across prairies, savannas, meadows, and open woods from southern Canada to Mexico. It forms an upright, clump-forming stand of square, aromatic stems topped with dense, globe-like clusters of pale lavender-pink tubular flowers held above pinkish-green bracts. In the Chicago area it is a familiar prairie and garden wildflower, blooming through much of the summer and drawing a steady stream of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Pros

  • Illinois native, common throughout the Chicago region
  • Long summer bloom that draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
  • Tolerates poor, dry soils and some drought once established
  • Deer and rabbits generally leave it alone

Cons

  • Susceptible to powdery mildew in crowded or still plantings
  • Self-seeds freely and can spread beyond where it is planted
  • Can look ragged after bloom if not deadheaded or cut back
Why Like A true Illinois native and a common sight in the Chicago region specifically - it grows in prairies, savannas, meadows, and along roadsides throughout the area, not just in remnant natural areas.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Fall Color, Fragrant, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Beginners, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Illinois Native, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period July to September
Flower Color Pale purple
Animals That Use It

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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.

Photos of This with...

Queen Anne's Lace
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!