Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Hardyplants (en.wikipedia.org) at English Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- Monarda fistulosa
- USDA Symbol:
- MOFI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- lavender, pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Coleophora heinrichella, Coleophora monardella, Eutrepsia inconstans, Hermit sphinx (Sphinx eremitus), Pyrausta generosa, ragged-edged pyrausta moth (Pyrausta signatalis), sparganothis fruitworm moth (Sparganothis sulfureana), Xenotemna pallorana
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Anthophora abrupta, Bombus Latreille, Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Confusing bumble (Bombus perplexus), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Orange-tipped Wood-digger Bee (Anthophora terminalis), Pyrobombus Dalla, Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble bee (Bombus ternarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Zadontomerus Ashmead Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Feltia herilis, Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), Lintneria eremitus, Nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis), orange mint moth (Pyrausta orphisalis), ragged-edged pyrausta moth (Pyrausta signatalis), Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite), Argynnis hesperis, Atalopedes Scudder, Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Byssus Skipper (Problema byssus), Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice), Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae), Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala), Delaware Skipper (Anatrytone logan), Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Eastern Giant (Heraclides cresphontes), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Great Spangled (Argynnis cybele), Northern Broken-Dash (Polites egeremet), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius), Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Tiger Swallowtails and Allies (Pterourus Scopoli), Zabulon Skipper (Lon zabulon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Common component of fire-maintained prairies and meadows.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–40 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Mix seed with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampen in a plastic bag or container. Store this seed for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F. Alternatively, seeds can be given a minimum of two weeks cool, moist stratification at 40°F or a 30 day cold moist stratification in the refrigerator.
Establishment: Seeds are small and black, collected by hand from locally native plants, nursery stock or specific locations. The plant flowers from July to August and seeds are harvested in fall when capsules turn tan and papery. Germination rates and protocols may vary based on regional variations and specific collection sites.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).