Botany on the Byways: Wild Bergamot

Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as bee balm, is a well known and highly adaptable native plant that thrives in all but the wettest soils. The fragrant lavender flowers are a popular nectar source for pollinators and attract a wide variety of bees and butterflies. Hummingbirds may also visit. A member of the mint family, Bergamot has long been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal applications. The distinctly aromatic leaves are commonly used to make tea, and the button seed heads are popular in dried floral arrangements. (Prairie Nursery)

Wild bergamot is ​common on upland to moist prairies; also on dry prairies, on Loess Hills prairies, on roadsides, and in open woods. It flowers from early July to early August.

There are many different uses of bee balm. The fragrant leaves can be used in perfumes or boiled as a tea. The flowers are edible. Indigenous people have many uses for the plant to treat a variety of health issues, from headaches to stomach issues to respiratory ailments. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has an extensive list of medicinal uses. 

Are you interested in planting bee balm in your garden or backyard? Check out this article for the best companion plants for bee balm. The plants listed either benefit bee balm or simply go well together with the plant in your garden. Bee balm is tall and propagates aggressively, so it is important to pair it with other tall wildflowers and plants. If you don't pair well, then your garden might be taken over by bee balm. Not a bad thing, but a diverse garden has many benefits!