Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
mo-NAR-dah fistulosa

Deciduous Perennial in the Lamiaceae Family
 
Buy Wild Bergamot
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $9.80 Frequently available
38 Flat Field $81.87 Frequently available
Tray of 10 4" pots Field

Full Foliage

$80.85 Frequently available

 
Available September 25
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $17.38 Estimated Arrival Sep 25
 
Teaser Pale purple flowers and foliage fragrant when crushed.

About Bee Balms

Bee balm is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Native to the North Carolina mountains, it may be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway flowering during the summer months. 

Monarda smells very similar to the rind of a Bergamot Orange, one of the main ingredients in Earl Grey tea. You’ll smell the spicy herbal notes on the air if you get anywhere near this plant, and its leaves can be used in salads or a tea of its own to enjoy more of this unique scent.

This plant prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun but will tolerate some shade. Bee balm can reach a height of 4 feet and will spread rapidly by underground stolons. Blossoms attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and the leaves have a minty aroma when crushed. 

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 24 - 36 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Formal Garden, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Pond, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period July to September
Flower Color Pale purple
Animals That Use It

Nectar:

Seeds:

 

Related Articles

 

More Info from Experts

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Queen Anne's Lace
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!