The plant is self-fertile. M. didyma and M. fistulosa are two of the most popular species among the seventeen species and over fifty cultivars of the plant. A pollinator favorite, Beebalm's red bloom makes it especially attractive to hummingbirds. … Monarda (Bee Balm) are a showy group of native and hybridized wildflowers. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. I first met beautiful, wild Monarda didyma in the woodlands and meadows of North Carolina. The crushed leaves of all species exude a spicy, fragrant essential oil.Of the species examined in one study, M. didyma contained the highest concentration of oil.. Several species, including Monarda fistulosa and M. didyma, have a long history of use as medicinal plants by many Native Americans, such as the Blackfoot, Menominee, Ojibwa and Winnebago. Monarda fistulosa has a long and safe historical use dating back to Native Americans and Colonials. Today’s cultivars come in a range of colors including white, red, purple, and many shades in between. ... Monarda fistulosa, Humdinger Short Description. All above ground parts of the plant are edible and used as a pot herb, and also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. Other companions to consider include Wild Hyacinth, Marsh Marigold, Bush’s Poppy Mallow, Downy Wood Mint and Butterfly Weed. A Prairie Moon • 04/02/2019 Thanks for writing, Barbara. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. Monarda didyma was a popular substitute for “real tea” (Camellia sinensis) after the Boston Tea Party. Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Herb Uses Monarda didyma, (red) Monarda media (purple) Monarda fistulosa, (pink) (c) Altnature 2016. Does best in a rich soil with a good organic matter content to provide moisture during the heat of summer. Native to the Appalachian Mountains, Monarda didyma will grow well in zones 4 - 7. The research included varieties that grew in height from 12 inches to nearly 4 feet as well as bloom colors of red, purple and pink - … Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Herb Uses Monarda didyma, (red) Monarda media (purple) Monarda fistulosa, (pink) (c) Altnature 2016. While in the perennial border these lovely plants produce a mass of mauve-purple blooms (even in their first year from an early sowing) and have uniquely scented foliage. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. Lavender to light pink flowers encircled by whitish bracts are less showy than those of Monarda didyma. Monarda didyma: corolla 30–45 mm long, red or rarely red-purple, and bract blades usually deeply tinged with red (vs. M. media, with the corolla 20-30 mm long, red-purple, and bract blades usually deeply tinged with purple). The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads. One of only a few red-flowered natives, it holds a special place in the mid-summer color scheme. Both intuition and objectivity guide my choice of Monarda—known also as bee balm, Oswego tea, horsemint, or bergamot—as one of my best friends in the herb garden. Monarda fistulosa, also known as Bergamot is famed for its medicinal qualities. Other companions to consider include Wild Hyacinth, Marsh Marigold, Bush’s Poppy Mallow, Downy Wood Mint and Butterfly Weed. Synonyms. True tea was imported from Britain and taxed by the Crown. One or more of them are found nearly everywhere in North America (USDA). All above ground parts of the plant are edible and used as a pot herb, and also used as a flavoring in cooked foods. According to the USDA, the leaves and extracts were used both externally and internally for a wide range of purposes. Monarda, commonly known as bee balm, has been a popular garden perennial for many years.Most of the selections currently available to gardeners are hybrids of two species native to the eastern United States, Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm) and Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot). A Prairie Moon • 04/02/2019 Thanks for writing, Barbara. ... Monarda didyma, Leading Lady Plum Short Description. Bee Balm is deer resistant, easy to grow and will attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot . The Plants Database includes the following 18 species of Monarda . Blooming for weeks from mid summer to early fall, they rest upon a whorl of decorative whitish bracts. It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. Purple blossoms float over densely branched plants with alluring, aromatic, dark-green foliage. Monarda Seeds and Plants. Wild bergamot is a great naturalizing wildflower and a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. It is noted for attracting wildlife. This species is sometimes called Oswego tea for the Native American tribe who made great use of it. It is in flower from July to August. Uses. Yes, Monarda fistulosa could work on a site like that. Most of the monardas, other than the red-flowered M.didyma, are pungent and savory in flavor and so should be used in savory dishes rather than sweets.