Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot)

Native perennial • Fragrant foliage • Major pollinator value

Monarda fistulosa is a native prairie mint with fragrant foliage and ornate lavender blooms. A magnet for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Thrives in open meadows, native borders, and sunny pollinator plantings.

Light

• Full sun to part sun
  
  

• 6+ hours ideal
  
  

• Light afternoon shade is fine in southern heat
  
  

More sun = more blooms + better mildew resistance.

Water

• Average watering
  
  

• Prefers evenly moist soil
  
  

• Drought-tolerant once established
  
  

Avoid constant wet feet to reduce fungal issues.

Soil

• Wide soil tolerance
  
  

• Sandy to clay, but must drain
  
  

• Prefers moderately fertile, not heavy-rich soil
  
  

Lean soil reduces mildew pressure.

Zones & Hardiness

• USDA Zones 3–9
  
  

• Very cold hardy
  
  

• Handles summer heat well if watered during drought
  
  

 Blooming

• Mid to late summer
  
  

• Long bloom window
  
  

• Excellent summer nectar source
  
  

• Supports:
  
  

  • hummingbirds
    
    

  • bumblebees
    
    

  • native bees
    
    

  • butterflies
    
    

  • hawk moths
    
    

Growth Habit

• Upright clumping
  
  

• Aromatic foliage
  
  

• 2–4 ft tall
  
  

• Slowly spreads by rhizomes
  
  

• Non-aggressive but expands over time
  
  

Foliage & Fragrance

Leaves smell like a mix of oregano + mint with native prairie mystery.
Brushing the foliage releases scent—great for sensory gardens.

Powdery Mildew (real talk)

Native Monarda can get powdery mildew in humid southern climates.
This is normal and rarely harms long-term health.

Reduce by:

• full sun
  
  

• good spacing
  
  

• airflow
  
  

• avoiding overhead watering
  
  

Even with mildew, pollinators don’t mind—they love it anyway.

Planting Notes

Depth:

• Plant crown level
  
  

Spacing:

• 18–24 inches
  
  

Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigor and airflow.

 Best Landscape Uses

• Pollinator gardens
  
  

• Meadow plantings
  
  

• Prairie-style borders
  
  

• Native naturalistic designs
  
  

• Sensory gardens
  
  

• Hummingbird gardens
  
  

• Rain garden upper slopes
  
  

•  Companion Plants

Pairs beautifully with:

• Asclepias
  
  

• Liatris
  
  

• Rudbeckia
  
  

• Coreopsis
  
  

• Solidago
  
  

• Echinacea
  
  

• Native grasses (little bluestem, switchgrass)
  
  

 Native Value

Top-tier nectar source in mid-summer during peak pollinator demand. One of the keystone nectar plants for native bees and hummingbirds.

Common Issues

Powdery mildew

Normal, manage airflow.

Sparse blooms

More sun needed.

Leggy growth

Too much shade or rich soil.