Wild bergamot typically starts flowering in June.
wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a hardy and fragrant wildflower native to North America. It can reach up to 3-4 feet in height and sports tufts of bright pink flowers in the summer. Its leaves give off a pleasing aroma when crushed that smells like mint and citrus. The plant is attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It also has medicinal properties and is sometimes used to make teas. Wild bergamot can be grown in full sun to partial shade and does well in scatter planting gardens and wildflower meadows.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flowers:
Pink/lavender Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Soil:
Sandy Loamy Clay Rocky
Fruits:
purple,brown Fruits Ready In
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,gray,white,gray
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Wild Bergamot should be watered every other week. When watering, give the plant an inch or 2 of water, enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Make sure to avoid getting the leaves wet as much as possible. Water in the morning so the plant has time to dry off in the sun. If rainfall is ample, reduce or skip a watering.
sunlight
Wild bergamot prefers full sun to partial shade; however, they will tolerate up to 4 hours of uninterrupted sunlight and can perform well in shaded areas as well. Direct sunlight is best for wild bergamot during the growing season, which is from late spring through early fall. During the hottest summer months, plants should be sheltered from the full sun to prevent wilting. During the winter months, wild bergamot should have 4 hours of direct sunlight and some shade in order to remain healthy.
pruning
Pruning wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) should be done in late winter or early spring, just before active growth begins. Prune the plant to just above the bottom bud and remove any dead or damaged stems. This will help promote healthy growth and also help control the size of the plant. Pruning should be done lightly, removing no more than about 1-third of the plant’s total growth. Doing this will ensure that the wild bergamot remains healthy and does not become overgrown.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
Harvesting of Monarda fistulosa typically begins in July and continues through August.
