Alphabetical Plant Listing

Monarda media (Purple Bergamot)

Purple Bergamot


Monarda media (Purple Bergamot) is a clump-forming perennial boasting fragrant, reddish-purple, tubular flowers borne in ragged terminal heads, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). Blooming for weeks from mid to late summer, they rest upon a whorl of decorative purplish bracts. The colorful and nectar-rich blooms ensure that butterflies and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the garden. The silvery-green foliage of opposite, lance-shaped leaves, is covered with fine hair. Aromatic, leaves have a strong mint fragrance when crushed. Purple Bergamot is best suited to the rich, moist, acidic soil of naturalized areas and along bogs, streams, or ponds.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm). Will spread through rhizomes to form a colony.
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade in rich, moist, acidic soils.
  • This showy perennial looks great in prairies and meadows, rain gardens, and along bogs, streams, or ponds.
  • Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, but this plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
  • This species is prone to powdery mildew. Providing good air circulation to combat powdery mildew is important. Prune stems to increase airflow. Rust can also be a problem.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
  • Propagate by division, seed, or stem cuttings.
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Monarda - Bee Balms
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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123RF, Agatchen, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Monarda - Bee Balms
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Monarda - Bee Balms

Guides with Monarda - Bee Balms

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