Wild Bergamot aka 'Bee Balm' (Monarda fistulosa)

Name: Wild Bergamot aka 'Bee Balm' (Monarda fistulosa)
Brand: BC Native Plants
Price: 0.01 CAD
Availability: InStock

Sunlight:

Full Sun
Partial Sun

Soil Type:

Well-Drained
Moist
Dry

Wild bergamot is perennial and native to North America. It produces rhizomes and forms large clumps. Clusters of fragrant flowers produce copious nectar from June to September and are highly attractive to bees. Plants grow to about 1 m in height.

Sunlight: thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for optimal growth and blooming. While it tolerates partial shade, excessive shade can lead to fewer blooms, legginess, and increased susceptibility to powdery mildew.

Soil: highly adaptable, thriving in well-drained, average-to-rich soil, including clay and sandy loam. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic or calcareous pH (6.5 ideal). While it handles dry, poor soils once established, it prefers consistent moisture and tolerates nutrient-rich environments. Can tolerate rocky or clay soil as long as it's well-drained.

Typically grows 2 to 4 feet (60–120 cm) tall, although it can reach up to 5 or even 6 feet in optimal conditions. This herbaceous perennial forms large, upright, clump-forming colonies with fragrant, minty foliage, spreading about 2 to 3 feet wide.

Garden Design:

A hardy, fragrant native perennial that excels in full sun (5–8+ hours) and well-draining soil, making it ideal for prairie gardens, pollinator beds, and low-maintenance landscapes. It grows 2–4 feet tall, attracts bees and butterflies, and spreads via rhizomes, which can be divided every 3 years to maintain plant health and prevent overcrowding.

Bloom Times:

July
August
September

Pollinator Support:

Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Moths

Grows Well With

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