Description
Bergamots, also known as Bee Balms, Oswego Tea, and Monardas, are vibrant members of the mint family native to North America. These hardy, aromatic herbs are beloved for their shaggy, whorl-like flowers in shades of scarlet, lavender, pink, and white, and their strong, citrusy-minty fragrance. Depending on the variety, they grow from 40 cm up to 1.2 m tall, forming clumps that spread steadily in the garden. Their flowers are magnets for bees, butterflies, making them outstanding pollinator plants.
Bergamots thrive in full sun to part shade and prefer rich, moist soils, though wild species like M. fistulosa are more tolerant of drier conditions. They are long-flowering perennials (some species annual), adding colour and fragrance to cottage gardens, herb borders, and meadow plantings.
Traditionally, the leaves have been used as a tea — M. didyma was famously brewed by the Oswego people, giving rise to the name “Oswego Tea.” The teas are refreshing, aromatic, and gently medicinal, supporting digestion, easing colds and sore throats, and uplifting the spirits. Their essential oils contain thymol and other compounds with mild antimicrobial action.
Whether you choose the fiery reds of Scarlet Bergamot (M. didyma), the calming lavender hues of Wild Bergamot (M. fistulosa), or the lemon-scented charms of M. citriodora, these plants bring both beauty and usefulness to the garden — ornamental showstoppers, herbal allies, and pollinator favourites all in one.
