Species wild bergamot
 two-lipped, showy, tubular, velvety, deep-red flower with reddish-green, shiny, toothed leaves

wild bergamot

Monarda 'Fireball'

Wild bergamot (Monarda 'Fireball') is a clump-forming perennial herb in the mint family. Its brilliant scarlet-pink flowers bloom from late summer to early fall and attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant is drought- and heat-tolerant, and the leaves have a sweet minty, slightly lemony scent. It’s a great addition to a pollinator or xeric garden, and the bright flowers look striking against its lance-shaped, dark green leaves. The flowers have also been used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Ruby red Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Wild Bergamot (Monarda 'Fireball') should be watered deeply and infrequently, allowing plenty of time for the soil to dry out between waterings. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, usually 1-2 times a week in summer, and 1-2 times a month in winter. Make sure to water at the base of the plant, taking care not to wet the foliage. Soil should have good drainage, as wet feet can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Wild Bergamot (Monarda 'Fireball') will perform best when planted in an area of the garden that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This plant thrives in warm temperatures and early-morning light, but will tolerate some mid-day shade. Wild bergamot will appreciate a location where there is indirect light or dappled shade after mid-day, especially in hotter climates. Avoid botanically rich, dense soil, and preferably provide well drained, loamy soil to help maintain the plant's overall health.

pruning

Prune wild bergamot plants (Monarda 'Fireball') during their dormant season, in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Prune out the older, woodier stems to increase air circulation, remove dead foliage, and to make room for new growth. Prune the stems back to 3-5 inches from the base. As the plant continues to grow, prune the stems selectively up to 6-8 inches, leaving new growth to remain and fill out the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Monarda 'Fireball' is typically harvested from July to September.

Starts Flowering

Monarda 'Fireball' typically starts flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

Monarda 'Fireball' is typically harvested from July to September.

Hardiness Map