How to Grow and Care for Bergamot

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a wildflower related to mint. It is also known as bee balm and indeed attracts a great many bees (hummingbirds like it as well). Wild bergamot is sometimes used to make strong-flavored tea. One variant is cultivated specifically for its lemony-scented essential oil.

This perennial forms a cluster of bright-red flowers atop a 91 cm long stem, which are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The leaves are aromatic, with a minty smell, and can also be brewed into tea, as the Oswego people taught the early European colonists in the New York area.

Eastern Beebalm (Monarda bradburiana) is a perennial that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Bell-shaped, pinkish-lavender flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Prefers full sun to partial shade with dry to medium-moist, well-drained soil. Encourage new blooms by deadheading faded flowers. It is resistant to powdery mildew.

Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata) is a perennial shrub that will grow to 61 cm tall. It spreads by runners but is not aggressive or invasive. It produces pagoda-like flowers in showy clusters of creamy, purple-spotted tubular blossoms. It blooms early to mid-summer attracting butterflies and bees.

Lemon beebalm (Monarda citriodora) is a winter annual that will grow from 30 to 61 cm tall. It has unusual tuft-like flower heads with blossoms that range in color from lavender to pink. It blooms from spring to summer attracting butterflies and bees. If watered regularly it will continue to bloom through the end of summer. It is easy to grow in full sun or partial shade. It spreads quickly.