Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a native bee balm with lavender-pink summer blooms that attract a wide range of pollinators, while its hollow stems provide important winter nesting habitat.
This plant grows well in full-sun to partial-shaded areas and well-drained soils. Areas with good air circulation are beneficial and will lessen powdery mildew issues. Wild bergamot spreads by rhizomes, making it perfect for wildflower meadows and pollinator gardens but not so much for flower beds, as it will take over. It is also tolerant of the toxic chemical juglone, so it can be grown near black walnut trees, which produce this chemical.
Jason Somerville, Extension Agent, Home Horticulture, Auburn University
New March 2026, Pollinator Plant of the Month, ANR-3245
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