It is reputed to be more tolerant of drought and less inclined to suffer from powdery mildew. The bracts below the flowers may be slightly purplish as well as the flowers themselves. It gives the distinctive flavor to Earl Gray Tea. The name Bergamot refers to its citrus-like flavor and fragrance, for the orange of the same name.
It is more common in the wild in New England than Monarda didyma, with its range extending north into Quebec as well as into the southern states.
Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa, has pale lavender flowers and longer leaves. For a lower growing variety, ‘Granite Pink’ is under 1’ tall, with a clear pink flower. Most cultivars are in the 2-3’ tall range, with ‘Raspberry Wine’, ‘Scorpio’, and ‘Jacob Cline’ sometimes over 4’ tall. ‘Fishes’ is white with a very subtle hint of pink. ‘Blue Stocking’, ‘Donnerwolke’, ’Claire Grace’, ’Scorpio’, ‘Prairie Night’, and ‘Violet Queen’ are variations of lilac and purple. ‘Croftway Pink’ and ‘Marshall’s Delight’ are pink. ‘Raspberry Wine’ is more of a pink-purple. ‘Mahogany’ is a very dark red-wine color. Red cultivars include ‘Adam’, ‘Cambridge Scarlet’, ‘Morgenrote’ and ‘Jacob Cline‘. The “other parent” may also impart some mildew resistance – a worthwhile trait since powdery mildew is a serious problem on this plant. Most of the cultivars that have flowers other than red are actually hybrids between several species of this genus. Historical medicinal uses have included coughs and sore throats, flatulence, nausea, and menstrual cramps, among other things. Shakers who established a village in the late 18th century in New York further popularized it for its medicinal value.
The showy flower and its value as a garden plant were recognized right away, and seeds sent to European gardeners grew well, so it became a popular garden plant there rather quickly too. Bee Balm was one of the first North American herbs to gain wide acceptance among European settlers. All members of the genus are native to North America. The genus was named after a 16th-century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicolas Monardes., who wrote the first flora of North America. Dried blossoms may be used in potpourris. The blossoms are edible, and are delightful used in salads or floated in punches. They are quite useful for bouquets and are absolutely irresistible to hummingbirds who are drawn to the color red and can easily reach the nectar with their long beaks. The tubular individual flowers are arranged in heads that look something like fireworks. What more appropriate way to toast Patriot’s Day, Fourth of July, or any other patriotic event than with this stunning North American plant?īee Balm even fits a patriotic color scheme, since the usual color of its summer flowers is American Beauty Red. This mint relative has a very pleasant flavor and is often used in herbal teas today. A native American drink made from Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, was often used as a substitute for the “Indian Tea” or Black Tea being boycotted by colonists in the days of the Boston Tea Party.Īlso known as Oswego Tea, Bee Balm’s aromatic leaves could be steeped similarly to Black Tea. This delightful perennial played a special role in the American Revolution.
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