Monarda media
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da MEED-ee-uh
- Description
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Purple Bergamot is a native perennial wildflower in the mint family that spreads through rhizomes and is found in the rich, moist, acidic soil of stream banks, thickets, and ditches. The flowers are prized by bees and hummingbirds. The leaves have a strong mint fragrance when crushed.
Use this plant in moist areas of native/pollinator gardens or naturalized areas and along bogs, streams or ponds. It tolerates full sun to light shade. Be sure to give it room to form a nice sized clump.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in crowded gardens, but it is usually in the late season after flowering. Prune stems to increase airflow. 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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- media
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native American tribes used the plant to cure skin eruptions, reduce fevers and treat colds.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Canada to Eastern U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Goldfinches will eat the seeds. Members of the genus Monarda support the following specialized bees: Dufourea monarda, Perdita (Perdita) gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis. This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- 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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, ragged cluster of reddish-purple tubular flowers and purplish bracts up to 2.5 inches wide in July-Aug.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, stalked, have a gray appearance, are lance-shaped with a triangular base. Stalks and leaf surfaces have fine hair. Margins are toothed on the lower leaves and less so on the upper leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
