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Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mo-NAR-da fist-yoo-LOW-suh
Description

Monarda fistulosa, commonly called wild bergamot, is a native 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:
Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Pollinator Garden at the Cabarrus County Extension Office HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Claire Grace'
  • ‘Jacob Cline’
'Claire Grace', ‘Jacob Cline’
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fragrant flowers#lavender#purple flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#nectar plant early fall#HS302#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Claire Grace'
  • ‘Jacob Cline’
'Claire Grace', ‘Jacob Cline’
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#rain garden#fragrant flowers#lavender#purple flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#lavender flowers#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#nectar plant early fall#HS302#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from August to October.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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