02/13/2015
Monarda fistulosa, Wild Bergamot (UPL)
This showy upland perennial produces pink pompom-like flowers from June through September. Despite their ragged appearance, these flowers serve as a nectar source and attract birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Monarda forms colonies and can grow to be 5’ tall. Bergamot can tolerate occasional flooding and partial shade; however, the plant thrives in drier soils in full sun.
Aside from its uses in gardens and for wildlife, some growers use Bergamot leaves to make teas and seasonings, while others chew the leaves raw or dried. The flowers are also edible. In the past, different cultures have used the oils from the leaves to aid respiratory and skin infections, whereas the tea was used for fevers, headaches, to soothe sore throats, and to help with colds.