Bergamot
The perennial wildflower from the prairie attracts pollinators of all stripes with its flowering. This variety of Bergamot is different from the variety used in Earl Gray tea; it has a minty aroma. Honey from this variety has a reddish tint.
Bergamot is often used to make herbal teas and sweet aromatic potpourri. In addition, Bergamot essential oils have been used to create flavors for food and drinks. The American Medicinal Plant Society awarded this plant the Notable Native Herb Award in 2013 due to the widespread use of this flower. The genus name Monarda is given in honor of the Spanish botanist Nicolás Bautista Monardes. He studied herbal and medicinal plants of North America professionally in the 16th century. The specific name "fistulas" comes from the Latin word meaning "tubular," referring to the shape of the many thorns of each flower.
How to grow Bergamot from seeds:
Sowing: Bergamot should be planted directly in early spring, pressing lightly into the soil surface. Monitor moisture levels until emergence, which should occur within 10 to 20 days at 60 to 70 degrees F. Thin out older seedlings or transplant further. Plant seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost and then transplant outdoors when planting indoors.Growing of Bergamot:
Before seedlings emerge, keep the soil evenly moist. Although mature plants need well-drained soil, they tolerate drought easily. Do not over-water or over-plant in a particular area to avoid mold and fungal diseases. Bergamot tends to self-seed and is often propagated by rhizomes. These flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The plant can be divided after 2-3 years.How and When to Harvest Bergamot: Choose stems with freshly blooming flowers to cut flowers. Then cut off excess foliage to not below the water level and immediately place it in the water.
Bergamot's Seed Saving: Keep an eye on flower stalks to collect seeds in time. When they begin to dry and darken, cut them off and lay them out to dry. Then grind them to remove the seeds. It is possible to shake off all seed heads in a container overnight, but you should repeat this process daily until all seeds are ripe. Store seeds in a cool, dry place.
FAST FACTS
Common Names: HorsemintLatin Name: Monarda fistulosa
Species Origin: US Native Wildflower
Type: Native Wildflowers
Life Cyclе: Perennial
USDA Zonеs: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
US Regions: Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 79,000
Stratification: No Stratification
Germination Ease: No Stratification
Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun
Height: 48 Inches
Color: Pink, Purple
Bloom Seаson: Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall
Usеs: Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Honeybees, Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Arоmatic, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant
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