Wildflower - Wild Bergamot

The Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as Wild Bee Balm, Oswego Tea and Horsemint, is blooming throughout the neighborhood.



This member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) is native to much of North America. Like other members of the mint family, Wild Bergamot is a perennial that grows from slender creeping rhizomes, thus commonly occurring in large clumps. This large patch of Wild Bergamot is located on our barn property.



The large showy flowers are solid pink or lavender and bloom from late June to September.



The nectar of the flowers attracts honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths.