Description
Wild Bergamot is an iconic American prairie species praised for its herbal and ecological value, with prolific lavander blooms. It’s a shorter-lived perennial that reaches 4 feet and needs full to part sun, doing best in average to somewhat dry soils. It makes a perfect choice for pollinator gardens and pairs well with many yellow flowers like Rudbeckia hirta, Ratibida pinnata, and Silphium laciniatum. Wild Bergamot supports tons of bee species, including the American Bumblebee, and is one of the best nectar plants for Diana Fritillaries.
The aromatic leaves contain high levels of thymol, giving the leaves a strong minty scent while also making the plant deer-resistant. Because menthol is a defensive chemical reaction to being browsed, pruning actually increases oil production. Wild Bergamot produces soft, effortless blooms with a strong, minty essence.
Rather than spreading aggressively by rhizomes, it seeds heavily, making it easy to manage. Simply clip the blooms before they mature if you want to limit volunteers. Keep in mind that the seed pods are an important food for birds during the winter, and new plants can be dug up and moved around.
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