Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot, scientifically known as Monarda fistulosa, is a lavender-colored, flowering perennial native to North America. It’s a member of the mint family and will readily naturalize an area and attract swarms of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden. Wild Bergamot is part of the American Beauties Native Plant program. 

Wild Bergamot is a very beneficial and productive native perennial. The lavender flowers bloom all summer, attracting plenty of beneficial pollinators. It's fast growing, low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer resistant. Wild Bergamot grows up to 4 feet tall with an equal spread in Hardiness Zones 3-8. The minty leaves can be used to make tea, and the lavender flowers are edible, enhancing salads or making a lovely garnish. Wild Bergamot is noted to have a variety of health benefits and is also known to repel mosquitos. 

Wild Bergamot Care

Wild Bergamot is notoriously easy to grow and thrives in all kinds of soil. It prefers full sun locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Find a spot with ample air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. 

Mulch the plants around the base to help maintain soil moisture and to prevent weeds. Deadhead spent flowers to keep plants looking tidy. Cut the plant back in late fall, before the first frost, but leave a few feet of the hollow stems standing to harbor beneficial insects during the winter. Remove the dried stalks in early spring as new growth appears. Wild Bergamot is easily propagated by seeds, cuttings, or division every few years. 

Wild Bergamot Spacing

Wild Bergamot can grow in clumps up to 4 feet wide once established, so give each plant plenty of room to mature and receive healthy air circulation. Easy to grow and maintenance-free when grown in a perennial border, Wild Bergamot is also a fantastic naturalizing plant. 

Wild Bergamot Information