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Monarda media

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
mo-NAR-da MEED-ee-uh
Description

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:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#purple flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#purple flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • 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