Flower Index Index by Family Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 Set 6 Set 7

Monarda | Bee Balm, Bergamot, Horse Mint, Oswego Tea

Lamiaceae (Mint Family) Pronounced Lay-mee-aye-see-eye

Pronounced mo-NAR-da

My varieties:

1. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot (2018 - from the native plant sale)

Pronounced mo-NAR-da Fist-yoo-LOW-suh | This is the native variety

36 inches tall (although mine are sometimes 6 feet tall), early-summer to late-summer; lavender; very fragrant; I do sometimes cut this back in mid-Spring to make it shorter and then it still blooms, but it blooms later than normal. I like it better when it is shorter.

2. Bergamota silvestre Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops PP27618 (2019) - I believe these are the ones that I had only one year and hubby weeded them as weeds. The color was so pretty. 20 inches (see photos in 2019 below)

3. Monarda Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm (2023 from Etsy) - this is growing so well and I love the bubblegum color!

4. Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Cerise' Bee Balm (2024) 14 to 18 inches, mid-Summer to late-Summer, dark cherry pink

The name "didyma" is Latin meaning "pairs" as the stems are in pairs. Didyma is known as "Scarlet Bee Balm" and also has red bracts.

5. Monarda 'Leading Lady Razzberry' (2024) 10 to 14", early-Summer to mid-Summer, raspberry purple

6. Monarda 'Sugar Buzz Bubblegum Blast' (2024) 20 to 24", mid-Summer to late-Summer, bubblegum pink (seems I bought the same one twice! It looks like #3.

I remember I was familiar with Bergamot as an ingredient in tisanes (teas) long before I realized it was Bee Balm grown in the garden. The most famous blend is Earl Gray Tea. That is the main ingredient that gives it its flavor! Earl Gray, of course, uses camellia sinensis leaves, so it is a "tea." Blends that have no camellia sinensis leaves are "tisanes." Yes, I am that persnickety tea fanatic! I am not a fan of Earl Gray tea, but I do love Bergamot | Bee Balm flowers in ice cubes as they are so lovely in any drink.

Then I just had to have me some in my garden! My first variety turned out to be too tall! I still have this pale purple species in my garden. I bought a smaller species the next year, but then I think my hubby "weeded" it as he often does and it disappeared. I am now in control of my own garden and buying lots of short varieties and really enjoying them.

The name "Monarda" is to honor a Spanish botanist Nicolas Monardes who first wrote about this plant in 1574 in a book describing plants of the New World aka America.

The name "Bergamot" is because it smells similar to a Bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia) which I understand is found in Florida and warmer climates. I am not even sure that they are sold in stores around here in Missouri.

The name "Bee balm" is because the plant used to be used to soothe bee stings.

The name "oswego tea" is because it was used by the Oswego Indians in the State of New York.

This plant is used for tea and also for essential oils. Some use the essential oil to keep away mosquitoes.

The native Americans used Bergamot for tea and for medicinal uses, such as an antiseptic, and also as a seasoning for meats.

I have put these flowers in ice cube trays and they turn into beautiful cubes for drinks. (Note to self, find those photos)

Both the leaves and the flowers are edible and used for teas.

The flowers are weird, to me that is, but I do like how they make a statement of color in the garden. The flower sets on a whorl of bracts, that is one reason why it looks weird! It also has spikey parts sticking up that make it look weird.

Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut to the ground after blooming is finished.

Powdery mildew is a big problem, especially for the native varity that is not hyridized to resist it, and the best way to combat it is to give the plant plenty of air flow (do not crowd it).

2024

3. Monarda Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm

3. Monarda Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm with a Bumble Bee!

3. Monarda Bubblegum Blast Bee Balm

5. Monarda 'Leading Lady Razzberry' newly planted near a newly planted Coreopsis.

5. Monarda 'Leading Lady Razzberry'

2023

1. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot

2022

1. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot

2020

1. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot

1. Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot - This is when we had it in the raised bed and it was super tall higher than the fenceline! I learned that I did not like how tall it grew.

2019