Wild bergamot forms clumps of aromatic foliage with pink to lavender flower heads, giving a softer colour than scarlet bee balm in summer borders.
- Height
- 60–122 cm / 2–4 ft
- Spread
- 60–92 cm / 2–3 ft
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Soil moisture
- Dry / Moist, well-drained
- Flowering
- Fall, Summer
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Medium
- USDA zones
- 3a–9b
Planting
Choose full sun and moderately moist soil. Leave enough room for air to move between stems; crowded, dry conditions make mildew more likely.
Care
Thin stems if airflow becomes poor and water during dry spells to avoid stress. Retain 30–60 cm of dead hollow stems when tidying to support nesting bees.
Before planting: Drought tolerance does not prevent mildew: water-stressed plants are more vulnerable.
Planting Wild bergamot?
Find a landscaper nearby to help with planting and establishment.
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Sources & photo credit
Plant reference: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Content checked . Flowering seasons vary with local climate; USDA zones describe winter cold tolerance.
- Wild bergamot: Hope Duckworth · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Scarlet bee balm: Stacy Hodes · CC BY 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- Spotted beebalm: johnx12 · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.
- 'Dilys' geranium: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized, converted to WebP and cropped for display.