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Wild bergamot or bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) is a perennial wildflower native to North America, including Wisconsin. Clusters of lavender, pink, or white flowers, looking like ragged pompoms, bloom at the top of two to four-foot, open-branched stems. It flowers in two, four-inch heads. The one to three-inch, coarsely toothed, lance-shaped leaves smell minty. It grows in dry open woodlands, fields, wet meadows, and ditches in well-drained but moist sand, loam, clay, acidic or calcareous soils.
In addition to its showy blooms and minty fragrance, Wild bergamot is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and features the characteristic square stems and opposite leaves. It spreads by rhizomes and seeds, forming loose colonies that add texture and color to naturalized landscapes. Blooming in summer, it’s a magnet for pollinators—especially bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
This plant has a rich ethnobotanical history. Indigenous peoples, including the Ojibwe, Cherokee, and Menominee, used it for a variety of medicinal purposes—from treating colds and headaches to soothing digestive issues. Its leaves and flowers were often brewed into teas or used in poultices.
Wild bergamot is also valued for its resilience. It tolerates drought, deer, and a range of soil types, making it a reliable choice for prairie restorations, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. While it can be susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions, good air circulation and spacing help keep it healthy. (July)