Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), also known as bee balm, grows ideally in sunny areas with dry soils and is a hardy plant, growing all over North America. They are a fairly common plant and can grow in a large variety of climates. The plant requires little to moderate amounts of water and likes lots of sun. Many pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds use wild bergamot for nectar. Some of the common specialized pollinators are the sand wasps (Bicyrtes),  the tiny sweat bee (Dufourea monardae), and Monarch Butterflies. Other animals attracted include hummingbird moths, butterflies, moth and butterfly caterpillars, skippers, long-tongued bees, halictid bees, and bee flies. 

When planting bergamot, it is important to make sure you aren't planting an invasive look-alike instead! One such example of an invasive look-alike is lemon balm, pictured to the right.