Wild bergamot is a colorful herbaceous perennial native to much of North America, thriving in states east of the Rocky Mountains—including Pennsylvania, where it flourishes in the Appalachian region. Known for its fragrant, lavender to pink flowers, wild bergamot bursts into bloom with ragged pom-poms that crown its square stems. Tubular, two-lipped flowers with two stamens are borne in dense, rounded clusters, each framed by showy green bracts tinged with pink or white, adding texture and vibrancy to the summer landscape.

The toothed, aromatic leaves of wild bergamot are simple, opposite, and oblong to lanceolate, typically 3 to 6 inches long, with a soft gray-green hue that shimmers in sunlight. This clump-forming perennial grows 2 to 4 feet tall, thriving in full sun and dry to medium-moisture soils. While tolerant of drought and poor soils, it benefits from good hydration and air circulation to prevent mildew. Wild bergamot is commonly found in meadows, thickets, clearings, roadsides, and disturbed habitats, adapting gracefully to a wide range of soil conditions.

Both the flowers and leaves of Monarda fistulosa are edible and aromatic, with a flavor reminiscent of oregano and thyme. Herbal teas—sometimes called Oswego tea—are traditionally brewed from the blossoms or leaves. Indigenous peoples, including the Ojibwe, Cherokee, and Blackfoot, used wild bergamot in teas and poultices to treat colds, fevers, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, and heart discomfort. Rich in thymol, the plant’s essential oils were also valued for their antimicrobial and soothing properties.

The species name fistulosa refers to the tubular shape of its lavender flowers. Spreading by underground rhizomes, wild bergamot forms fragrant swaths across open spaces, its blooms rising like ragged crowns atop square stems. Rich in nectar, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the summer. While not a nesting plant, its presence nourishes pollinators. Resistant to deer and rabbit browsing, its minty foliage offers both beauty and resilience.