Diohio's Garden

About this plant

Genus: Monarda.

Species: Monarda fistulosa.

This perennial native is in the mint family. Although my book says that it likes dry sunny open fields, I find large patches of it here in the deep woods behind my house. I have started a few colonies of it in my yard, in the shade, and it's doing very well, as any "mint' would. Also called Horsemint or Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot attracts many insects, including bees, butterflies and beetles. It has been used in folk medicine as a "mint tea" to treat many respiratory and digestive ailments. This mint's oil is an essential flavoring ingredient in Earl Grey tea.