Appalachian Bergamot Monarda fistulosa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da fist-yoo-LOW-suh
- Description
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Wild bergamot is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) widespread across North America. It occurs in dryish soils on prairies, dry rocky woods and glade margins, unplanted fields and along roads and railroads. The species epithet is Latin for “hollow” and was not explained when it was given. It likely refers to the hollow stems.
Wild bergamot is a clumping plant that typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It performs best in full sun and moderately moist soils. Although tolerant of occasional drought, water-stressed plants are more susceptible to mildew.
Three varieties of wild bergamot occur in North Carolina. They are distinguished by flower color and technical differences in the leaf pubescence.
Wild bergamot provides color and contrast for the herb garden, wild garden, native plant garden, meadow, rain garden or naturalized area. It may be used in the perennial border, but it is not as colorful as the similar-in-appearance beebalm (Monarda didyma) and its many cultivars. This plant is tolerant of black walnut.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew can be a problem with all beebalm species, especially in crowded conditions with poor airflow, but this particular species shows resistance. Prune stems to increase air flow. Severe cases may require fungicidal sprays. In addition, if the soil is allowed to dry out, the stressed plants become increasingly susceptible to disease. Rust can also be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Cabarrus County Extension Demonstration Garden, Pollinators HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Claire Grace'
Rich pink flowers; some mildew resistance.
- 'Claire Grace'
- 'Claire Grace'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Claire Grace'
Rich pink flowers; some mildew resistance.
- 'Claire Grace'
- 'Claire Grace'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- fistulosa
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada to North East Mexico
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the blooms. Members of the genus Monarda support the following specialized bees: Dufourea monardae, Perdita (Perdita) gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Wild bergamot features two-lipped, tubular flowers that appear in dense, globular, solitary, terminal heads atop square stems. Each flower head is subtended by (rests upon) a whorl of showy, pinkish, leafy bracts. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. This plant blooms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The toothed, opposite, aromatic, oblong, grayish-green leaves (to 4") of the wild bergamot may be used in teas.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Rabbits
