Monarda fistulosa / Wild bergamot (Mint Family)

This Beebalm has lovely pale pink blooms and sweet, aromatic foliage reminiscent of the other wild bergamot used for Earl Grey tea. This is an aggressive species and is best sited in informal gardens, meadows, and other spaces where it has room to sprawl. The lower half of the plant will drop its leaves as the summer progresses, so planting other tall, bushy plants around the base can work nicely. Powdery mildew is common in stressed, overcrowded plants, so thin often and plant in a site with adequate moisture. This plant can be cut in half in mid-spring for bushier growth or to prevent flopping.

Blooms: Pink, 3-4 weeks, June-July
Leaves: 4” long, serrated, ovate, simple, hairless
Height: 2-4’
Space: 1-2‘
Soil: Average
Exposure:  Full-Part Sun
Fauna: Long-tongue bee, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds
Seeds: Small seeds tucked away in dried, button-like flower heads
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 3-9
Native Status: NC Native, common in Piedmont and Mountains
Provenance: NC ecotype, seed grown