Wild Bergamot is native to all of the contiguous U.S. states excepting Florida, California and Nevada, as well as all but the outer-most provinces of Canada, it is also found in portions of northern Mexico.

The success story of Wild Bergamot is a testament to it’s wide hardiness range, in terms of temperature, soil type and light requirements. It is also a major testament to it’s relationship with our pollinators, being a favorite of many of our species, from hummingbirds to butterflies and moths (such as the hummingbird moth), as well as bee’s (particularly long-tongued species) and beetles.

Wild Bergamot is also an important host plant for two pollinating species’ caterpillars: the Sphinx and Gray Marvel moths.

Wild Bergamot is a familiar and friendly sight among much of the migratory paths for butterflies, particularly those who have multiple generations along their migratory paths, and they will regularly look out for it as they advance northward during the summer. Wild Bergamot can really help your garden be a beacon for these beautiful and essential creatures!

Also known as Oswego Tea, this hardy perennial makes an excellent tea, either on it’s own or infused with other leaves or flower petals (such as the leaves of Raspberry). Raspberry fruit jams can also be infused with Bergamot for a compelling blend of sweet and spice.

According to horticultural research done at Purdue University, Wild Bergamot is also valuable as an anti-septic and is helpful with circulation and as a treatment for colds, among other having other benefits. In short, Wild Bergamot is a rewarding plant in many ways beyond it’s beauty, from it’s aid to our pollinators to the direct culinary and health benefits we can gain from it’s leaves. There are few plants that could offer more.

Care:

Wild Bergamot is well adapted to a wide variety of soils and conditions, including poor soils. It’s even been observed in bloom in the heart of deciduous woodlands, though it does it’s best with partial or full sun.

It prefers soil conditions that are more moderate to dry in moisture than other types of Monarda, and as a main requirement, it should receive a well-drained location to grow. The pay off is that it is quite tolerant of drought and competes well with other plants, making a great choice for a dense flowering bed.

Wild Bergamot spreads via rhizomes, and can fill an 6 to 8 square foot space in just a couple of years. It’s great in a pollinator-friendly tea garden that includes Anise Hyssop, Betony, Lavender, Lemon Balm and Wild Raspberry.