Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family).
Native range: Widespread across North America, including all of New York State.
Bloom time: July – September.
Flower color: Lavender to pale purple.
Height: 2–4 feet.
Preferred conditions: Full sun to partial shade; thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soils but tolerates clay and sandy sites alike. Excellent drought tolerance once established.
Wild Bergamot: The Best Beebalm.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is this author’s favorite of all the Beebalm species—and for good reason. Among New York’s native Monardas, it’s the most adaptable and easygoing. Whether it’s planted in a rain garden, on a dry hillside, or even near a sand dune, this native perennial never complains. Its flexibility regarding soil texture and sunlight makes it a reliable performer in a wide range of garden conditions.
Presently, the aroma of Wild Bergamot is magnificent. It smells exactly like Earl Grey tea, hence the origins of the colloquial moniker, “Bergamot.” Some people enjoy drinking Beebalm tea. While that may or may not work for you, the coldbrew method of brewing will preserve the flavor of fresh cut herb flowers better than hot water brewing.
Compared to the more delicate Monarda didyma (Scarlet Beebalm), M. fistulosa offers far better longevity and fewer disease issues, especially with powdery mildew. The blooms are soft lavender-pink, highly fragrant, and magnetically attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It spreads moderately by rhizomes but stays tidy in a garden setting, forming handsome clumps that return stronger each year.
Surprisingly, M. fistulosa is also much more resilient that Monarda punctata, even in the dry, sandy sites that Horsemint is known to thrive. The other Monarda spp languish over years and in general disappear.
If you’re looking for the best Beebalm for a resilient, pollinator-friendly landscape, Monarda fistulosa is probably the one. It embodies all the beauty, fragrance, and wild spirit of native plants while asking only for space in your garden.