How to Grow Wild Bergamot

Although this hardy plant can grow in areas that are less than ideal, it prefers full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Wild bergamot does require a spot with plenty of air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Space plants between 18 and 24 inches apart.

Is wild bergamot a perennial?
How do you take care of wild bergamot?
How do you start wild bergamot?
How do you grow bergamot?
Does wild bergamot bloom the first year?
Should I deadhead wild bergamot?
Is wild bergamot poisonous?
Is Bergamot easy to grow?
Is wild bergamot invasive?
Is Bergamot hard to grow?
Is wild bergamot the same as bee balm?
What does bergamot smell like?

Is wild bergamot a perennial?

Wild bergamot, known by many other common names, is a popular and showy perennial. Clusters of lavender, pink or white flowers, looking like ragged pompoms, bloom atop 2-5 ft., open-branched stems. This showy perennial, frequently cultivated, has aromatic leaves used to make mint tea.

How do you take care of wild bergamot?

Wild bergamot has medium moisture requirements and does best when watered deeply, occasionally. It will handle some drought conditions. Use a slow-release liquid fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

How do you start wild bergamot?

How to Grow Bergamot

Latin. Lemon Bergamot: Monarda citriodora, Wild Bergamot: M. ...
Difficulty.
Season & Zone. Season: Warm season. ...
Timing. Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in early spring when a light frost is still possible. ...
Starting. Barely cover the tiny seeds with soil. ...
Growing. ...
Harvest.

How do you grow bergamot?

Planting Bergamot Seeds

You can plant bergamot seeds outdoors in early spring while the soil is cool and there is still a chance of a light frost. Cover the seeds with a light dusting of soil. When the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm.) apart.

Does wild bergamot bloom the first year?

Clusters of pink, purple or white puffball flowers appear atop tall stems sometime in late summer, usually from July through September. Although it is sometimes considered a weed, many gardeners prize wild bergamot for its colorful flowers during a time of year when not much else is blooming.

Should I deadhead wild bergamot?

Deadhead the Flowers

As the flowers begin to fade, snip off the blossoms before they form seed heads. This encourages the plants to produce more flowers. It also helps reduce reseeding in the flowerbeds.

Is wild bergamot poisonous?

The toxicological effects of thymol include gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and external rashes, although there have been no reports of toxic ingest plants or extracts of the Monarda species (11.1-136, 14.1-35). ... Wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa L., is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States.

Is Bergamot easy to grow?

In common with many aromatic plants, it dislikes excessive winter wet. This makes Monarda a bit picky as to where to plant it, neither too wet nor too dry, but essentially it wants to be planted on well-drained soil in a sunny position and if planted right, it is easy and maintenance free.

Is wild bergamot invasive?

Wild Bergamot is in the mint family and spreads by slender underground rhizomes, though it is clump forming and not invasive.

Is Bergamot hard to grow?

Wild bergamot is so easy to grow because it's a member of the mint family, which is notorious for being so prolific it's almost a pest if not controlled by the gardener.

Is wild bergamot the same as bee balm?

Monarda fistulosa, also referred to as purple bee balm and wild bergamot, contains carvacrol which gives it a spicy flavor similar to Greek oregano. The pungent, chopped leaves can be added to soups, stews, beans, marinades, tomato sauce, and with eggs, seafood or meat.

What does bergamot smell like?

Bergamot smells like other citrus fruits in that it has a sunny, sweet aroma with notes of tartness and acidity. ... Bergamot is widely used in perfumery because of its complementary nature to other scents like rosemary, sandalwood, jasmine and vetiver.