Monarda fistulosa is one of our favorite native plants. It has an ethereal quality to it. When swaying in a light breeze, it dances. When the sun hits the flower petals just so, they sparkle. At times it looks like a painting of a dream, delicate and hardy.
Commonly known as wild bergamot or bee balm, the flowers attract birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, and an assortment of bees. It always seems to have a handful of pollinators on it and often is surrounded by soft buzzing. It is a great companion to other native pollinator plants, such as echinacea, rudbeckia, and verbena. Monarda flowers are edible and the leaves have long been used medicinally and to make tea.
This lovely perennial grows throughout most of Indiana and thrives in almost any growing conditions. It isn’t picky. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and almost any soil you can find in the state, except wetlands. Mildew can become a problem if there isn’t enough airflow around the plant, but that seldom causes real harm. As an easy-to-grow native plant and requiring little maintenance, it’s a good choice for beginning gardeners. It can become tall and will sometimes flop a bit with heavy rain and wind, but that never seems to bother the plant. While it can grow to five feet tall, it typically stays around three feet and its spread is about the same. Propagating the perennial is simple through dividing the plants or growing from seed.
When planting your flower or native garden, consider adding this wonderful perennial to feed the pollinators. It will reward you for many years with its delightful petals and sweet scent.
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