Monarda — Pollinator Favorites
Wisconsin Native Monarda
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Scientific Name:
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Monarda
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Family
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Lamiaceae (mint family)
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Habitat
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Moist but well-drained soils.
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Fragrance
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Bergamot: citrus
Bee Balm: Oregano with hint of mint and thyme
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Sun
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Shade tolerant, but prefers full sun to partial shade
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Common Names
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Bee balm, Wild Bergamot, Bergamot, Oswego Tea, Golden Melissa, Indian Nettle
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Meet the Monardas — the crowning glory of the mint plant family! The bee balm uses and
benefits are many, both for you and your garden. There are 4 native plants belonging to the species Monarda
that come in various colors available for adding visual delight as well as edible and medicinal
benefit.
The Oswego Indian tribe used this plant to make an herbal tea and they taught the early American
settlers how to do so as well. This just happened to come in very handy following the Boston Tea
Party. As the settlers revolted against the British tax on tea, they drank tea made from Monarda
instead, thus thumbing their noses at the British and their taxes.
Monarda brings a lot of charm and interest to the garden. 'En masse' plantings in naturalized areas
are a showstopper and create a high-traffic area for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Enjoy these as specimen plants paired with your favorite summer-into-fall bloomers in the middle
of the garden. When they are in full flower (with a few to spare), you can pick a few flowers and
leaves to make a batch of iced Bee Balm tea and watch the garden grow. Or dry some and save
it for hot Oswego tea on a cold winter’s night!
Native Americans used the foliage of beebalm as an anti-septic in traditional medicines,
and the foliage as a light tea.
Monardas are available to plant in the spring and fall. Plant them as soon as they arrive
in well-drained soil that has been amended with organic matter. If you cannot plant them
at once in permanent positions, shallowly heel them into a temporary position and keep
them well-watered until transplanting.
Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch
and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. It can tolerate
lighter soil, but richer soil will encourage taller, stronger specimens. Boggy conditions
are not tolerated, nor are soils that are allowed to dry out for long periods of time.
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Dividing: Bee balm is in the mint family, and absolutely lives up to the family name. It will intensively
spread over a season via a mat of underground stems (stolons), but can be kept under
control by regular digging and dividing.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall. Either time of year works well;
however, when fall-planting Bee Balm, it's best to trim back the foliage to encourage
the plant to focus its energy towards the roots.
Monardas perform best in full sun or partial shade
The are adaptable to a variety of soils
Requires moist, rich soils for best grow
Can be susceptible to Powdery Mildew — prevent by providing good air circulation
Attracts butterflles, bees and hummingbirds
Deadhead spent flower to encourage new blooms
Monarda spreads vigorously, best to divide every 2-3 years
Cut to the ground after flowering to promote the growth of new healthy shoots and leaves
Wisconsin Native Monarda Catalog
Bergamot
Height: 2-3 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zones: 3-9
Soil: Loam, Sand, Clay
Moisture: Dry, Medium, Moist
Color: Lavender
Bradbury's Beebalm
Height: 1-2 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zones: 5-8
Soil : Loam
Moisture: Dry, Medium
Color: Purple, Pink
Scarlet Beebalm
Height: 3-5 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zones: 4-9
Soil: Loam, Clay, Sand
Moisture: Medium, Moist
Color: Red
Spotted Beebalm
Height: 1-2 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zones: 4-8
Soil: Loam
Moisture: Dry, Medium
Color: Yellow, Lavender
Lemon Beebalm
Height: 1-2.5 feet
Bloom Time: Summer
Sun: Full Sun, Part Sun
Zones: 2-11
Soil: Loam
Moisture: Dry, Medium
Color: Lavender, Pink
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