Wild Bergamot ~ Monarda fistulosa
AKA; Beebalm
Wild bergamot has beautiful mauve coloured flowers and requires a drier situation than Scarlet bergamot. Wild bergamot is more grown as an ornamental plant these days but was considered a medicinal plant by the First Nations people including the Menominee, the Ojibwe, the Winnebago and the Blackfoot. The taste is a lot bolder than Scarlet bergamot! 🌿All my plants are grown organically.
Wild Bergamot
- Growth Type; Expanding clump herb, perennial
Growing Wild Bergamot
- Climate; Cool to mild climate
- Exposure; Full sun to partial shade, protect from strong winds.
- Soil; Reasonably fertile and free draining
- Tip; Divide every couple of years for vigorous flowering. By winter it will have died down to a low clump but will come back up again during spring.
Using Wild Bergamot
- Parts Used; Leaf and flower
- Uses; It has been used to treat colds and and mouth and throat infections caused by dental issues. It has antiseptic action and the Blackfoot used this knowingly as a poultice on wounds and skin infections. It’s more of a butterfly and bumblebee attractor than bee attractor (I personally have found), it is called Beebalm for it’s use on bee stings.
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