Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
A rhizomatous perennial that is happy in all but the wettest soils, this fragrant beauty blooms for about two months in late summer. The tubular lavender-colored blooms are topped by masses of colorful pollinators with an occasional splash of ruby-throated hummingbird. Adorable, button-like cymes remain after the blooms have finished. Loved by wildlife and wild gardeners alike, Wild Bergamot has been used for centuries for its aromatic minty foliage, which, happily, also serves to deter rabbits and deer.
Note: Wild Bergamot will bloom more energetically when divided every 3 to 4 years.
Conditions: Full sun to part sun; moist soils; widely adaptable
Size: 2′ – 4′ tall, 2′ – 3′ spread
Zone: 3 – 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract many pollinators, including hummingbird moths, long-tongued bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; seeds provide food for birds in fall; larval host to several species of butterflies and moths, including Orange Mint Moth and Raspberry Pyrausta
