What they do
Bee balms provide showy summer blooms that help support a variety of pollinators.
Plant profile
Wild bergamot & bee balms
Genus Monarda
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Wild bergamot & bee balms
Aliases
Bee balm, wild bergamot
Native Range
Native to parts of North America (species vary by region).
Bloom window
Summer
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Wild bergamot and bee balms (Genus Monarda) are essential, resilient wildflowers that serve as high-traffic, mid-season flowering anchors in layered pollinator habitats across North America. Their upright structure and shaggy, pom-pom blooms offer a rich, long-lasting source of nectar and pollen, making them a “power plant” for native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during peak summer months.
For best results, site Monarda in a sunny spot with reasonably well-drained soil to ensure healthy growth and maximize blooms. To create continuous forage, pair this summer anchor with earlier and later-blooming native species. As with all pollinator plants, maximizing its ecological value requires avoiding all pesticide use.
Best role for pollinators
Pollinator gardens, schoolyard habitat patches, sunny borders, and big pots that need bold color.
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bee balm, wild bergamot |
| Bloom window | Summer |
| Typical height | About knee- to chest-high, depending on the type and growing conditions |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Light & moisture | Best in sun with evenly moist to average soil; tolerates some dryness once established. |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pollinator gardens, schoolyard habitat patches, sunny borders, and big pots that need bold color. |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Sun, decent airflow, and soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
One best action
Plant Monarda where it gets good sun and space for air to move through the stems.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
If you want a plant that makes a habitat patch feel alive, Monarda is a strong pick: it blooms in summer, is easy to spot, and tends to attract a steady stream of pollinators.
The leaves are aromatic when gently rubbed, which is one reason people often notice this plant even before it blooms.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Provides a reliable summer nectar stop for many pollinators
- Adds bold color and fragrance to small and large habitat plantings
- Works well in community spaces because it’s easy to notice and talk about
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Look for a clump-forming wildflower with square-ish stems, opposite leaves, and a shaggy, firework-like flower head.
Leaves
Opposite leaves on the stem; often slightly toothed and pleasantly fragrant when crushed.
Flowers
Shaggy, tufted flower heads made of many narrow tubular florets, usually pink to purple (sometimes red).
Fruits
After flowering, the heads dry and hold small seeds that can be left for natural reseeding or trimmed for tidiness.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Sunny openings and meadows
- Prairie and grassland edges
- Open woodland edges
- Streamside or moist meadow areas (for some species)
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch or schoolyard habitat bed
- Sunny border or cottage-style planting
- Meadow-style planting with other native wildflowers
- Large containers (choose a sturdy pot and water consistently)
- Cut flowers for simple bouquets
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Bee balms typically shine in summer, helping fill the gap between spring blooms and late-season flowers.
Bloom Season Role: Mid-season color and nectar when many gardens hit their summer stride.
Seasonal benefits
- Keeps pollinator activity high during warm months
- Pairs well with earlier and later bloomers for season-long support
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Full sun is best for strong stems and good flowering; part sun can work, especially in hot spots.
Soil type
Average garden soil is fine; aim for good drainage and avoid heavy, constantly wet areas.
Moisture needs
Water new plants regularly until established; after that, water during long dry spells, especially in containers.
Planting method
Plant with enough space between clumps for airflow; set the crown level with the soil surface.
Mulching tips
Use a light layer of mulch to hold moisture, but keep mulch off the crown to reduce rot.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a sunny spot with room for air to move between plants.
- Loosen the soil and remove weeds so young plants don’t have to compete.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot; water in well.
- Add a light mulch layer, keeping it away from the base of the stems.
- Check weekly for the first month and water when the top soil starts to dry.
Seasonal care
- Water at the soil line rather than over the leaves.
- If plants get tall or floppy, use a simple stake or grow-through support early in the season.
- After blooming, you can deadhead for a tidier look or leave some seed heads to dry.
- Divide crowded clumps every few years to keep plants vigorous and improve airflow.
- In fall or early spring, cut back old stems to make room for new growth.
What not to do
- Planting too close together in a still, shady spot
- Watering from overhead late in the day
- Over-fertilizing to “get more flowers”
- Using pesticides in or near the patch
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Golden alexanders
- Wild columbine
- Penstemons
Mid-Season Bloom
- Black-eyed Susan
- Purple coneflower
- Blazing star
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Joe-Pye weed
If you’re choosing plants for Toronto, ask for Monarda species or varieties suited to your area and give them space—good airflow is the simplest way to keep them looking their best.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see when shopping or planting:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
View pollinator profile
Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
View pollinator profile
Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
View pollinator profile
Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
View pollinator profile
Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
View pollinator profile
Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
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Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
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Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
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Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
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Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
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Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
View pollinator profile
Regions
Where this plant is native
Image
Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland
The Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland is a busy, people-centered coastal lowland with rivers, shorelines, and patches of forest and meadow.
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Sierras of Jalisco and Michoacán with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a set of temperate mountain landscapes where conifer, oak, and mixed forests create layered habitat—from sunny edges and clearings to shaded understories.
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