1. Home
  2. Forbs
  3. Wild Bergamot
Back to Plant & Seed Library

Wild Bergamot

Wild bergamot (also known as bee balm) is an aromatic member of the mint family, with showy clusters of lavender-pink, tubular flowers held above minty-scented foliage through mid to late summer. Found in dry to moist meadows, it’s one of the best all-around pollinator plants you can grow – drawing in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds alike, and serving as a larval host for several moth species. Its foliage has a long history of medicinal use among First Nations. A must-have for a native pollinator garden, with the bonus of fragrant leaves you can brush past all summer.

Categories , Tags , ,

Growing Tips

Sow in fall or early spring in well-drained soil; spreads by rhizome to form good-sized clumps. Divide every few years to keep it vigorous and reduce risk of powdery mildew in humid conditions.

Detailed Description

Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Flower Colour: Lavender-pink
Flowering Months: July-September
Height (feet): 60-100 cm (2-3 ft)
Lifespan: Perennial
Growth Form: Upright, clump-forming, aromatic
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil Moisture: Dry to moist
Drought Tolerance: Medium to High

Pollinators & Wildlife

Pollinator Value: Very High
Benefits To Pollinators: One of the best all-round pollinator plants; long summer bloom draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths
Larval Host (Butterfly): Unknown
Larval Host (Moth): Yes
Larval Species (Lepidoptera): Hermit Sphinx moth
Hummingbirds: Yes