Ohio Native Plant Natural Range
To view the natural range of Monarda fistulosa visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Cultivation Information Wild Bergamot
Height - 3 to 4 ftFlower Color - VioletBlooms - July - August
Sun - Full to FilteredSoil - Moist to MediumHardy Zone - 3 to 9
Perennial
pH - 5.0 to 6.5
Family - Lamiaceae - Mint FamilyNeeds good circulation - plant 16 inches apart Over the Years - We have discovered that adding native plants to your yard/garden not only provides nourishment for native pollinators; we benefit as well. Native pollinators attract native insect predators, whose responsibility it is to devour critters that are attacking our plants. These predators don’t discriminate if their dinner is on a zucchini plant or a lovely zinnia.
pH - 5.0 to 6.5
Family - Lamiaceae - Mint FamilyNeeds good circulation - plant 16 inches apart Over the Years - We have discovered that adding native plants to your yard/garden not only provides nourishment for native pollinators; we benefit as well. Native pollinators attract native insect predators, whose responsibility it is to devour critters that are attacking our plants. These predators don’t discriminate if their dinner is on a zucchini plant or a lovely zinnia.
Propagation Notes Wild Bergamot
Seed Stratification
Resources state - No pretreatment necessary. I like to either give Wild Bergamot seed 30 days cold/moist storage or sow them in the fall under a simple cold frame.
Historical Herbal Remedies
Monarda fistulosa
.jpeg "Tea on a wooden tray")
*Information in the following paragraphs is strictly provided for educational purposes only. Nodding Onion Gardens is not qualified or certified to make any herbal recommendations. We are merely fascinated by how closely knit relationships held between pollinators, birds, wildlife, plants and people truly are!
As Tisanes - Indigenous People and early settlers used Monarda didyma & Monarda fistulosa as "tea" to treat sore throats and common colds. Actually it would be consider a Tisanes as it is a herbal remedy. Tea is technically from the Camellia sinsensis plant. The original name of the " tea" was "a wild taste". Earl Gray tea is a popular tea, made from Black Tea and Bergamot oil. However, Bergamot oil in Earl Gray tea most likely is referencing Bergamot Orange (Citrus bergamia) not Monarda fistulosa, or Monarda didyma. Sadly, I have never had a chance to harvest our Bergamot leaves, as they are best picked early in the season before any sign of powdery mildew appears. Since spring is our busiest time of the year, it tends to slip my mind until it is too late! The Healing Power of Simple Tea & Tisanes, by Caroline Dow mentions it helps with fluid retention, fevers and depression. The FDA has determined it is not safe for pregnant women.
If you are considering harvesting leaves, it is important to do diligence and research the plant you are thinking about working with. Educate yourself on the possible sensitivities you may have with Monarda fistulosa. One of my favorite books by Rich Cech's – Making Plant Medicine is packed full of useful information. Always, be certain the plant material you are working with has been properly identified and organically raised.
Please do not harvest from the wild unless you are given permission by the landowner. We need wild populations for future generations. In the past, Lorain Community College in Elyria, Ohio has offered a Plant Forging class through their Sustainable Agriculture program.
I think you will enjoy the blog post Tea in the Tallgrass by Cindy Crosby