Bee Balm Monarda fistulosa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bee Balm:
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da fist-yoo-LOW-suh
- Description
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Monarda fistulosa, commonly called wild bergamot, is a native herbaceous perennial that occurs in dryish soils on prairies, dry rocky woods and glade margins, unplanted fields and along roads and railroads. It is a clump-forming, mint family member that grows typically to 2-4' tall.
Provides color and contrast for the herb garden, wild garden, native plant garden, meadow or naturalized area. May be used in the perennial border, but is simply a less colorful selection than the similar-in-appearance Monarda didyma and its many cultivars (the beebalms). Of note, this plant is tolerant of black walnut.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Summer/Late Summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Late Summer/Fall
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew can be a problem with all Monarda spp. 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 Pollinator Garden at the Cabarrus County Extension Office HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Claire Grace'
- ‘Jacob Cline’
- 'Claire Grace'
- 'Claire Grace', ‘Jacob Cline’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Claire Grace'
- ‘Jacob Cline’
- 'Claire Grace'
- 'Claire Grace', ‘Jacob Cline’
- 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
