Description

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as horsemint, wild bee balm, or Oswego tea, is a native U.S. heirloom herb with a unique flavor that blends oregano, thyme, and mint. Often used in savory dishes, jellies, and salads, this herb offers not only a distinct taste but also showy pinkish-lavender flowers that bloom from summer to fall, attracting bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies like the wood nymph butterfly. Perennial in USDA zones 3–9, it thrives in full sun to part shade, is resistant to mildew, and adapts well to drought and poor soils.

This packet sows up to 102 feet. 260 seeds.

Variety Info:

Botanical Name: Monarda fistulosa
Family: Lamiaceae
Native: Most of North America east of the Rocky Mountains
Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 3–9
Plant Dimensions: 36″–48″ tall and about 18″–24″ wide
Variety Information: Pink to light-lavender, ¾”–1¼” florets are arranged in a whorl around a pincushion-like center, creating a 2″–4″ flattened pom-pom-shaped flower
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom Period: Blooms summer to fall
Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible Flower, Heat Tolerant

Sowing Info:

When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date or in late summer to fall.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date.
Days to Emerge: 14 – 21 Days
Seed Depth: Surface to 1/16″
Seed Spacing: A group of 5 seeds every 18″–24″
Thinning: When 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″–24″

Growing Info:

Harvesting: For longest vase life, cut stems when one ring of florets has opened. Change vase water often.