Southwest Plant of the Month – Beebalm or Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia
General Information
Plant Form | Flower | Plant Size | 3′ x 2′ |
Plant Type | Perennial | Water Usage | Medium |
Sunlight | Sun, Partial Shade | Colors | Pink, Purple |
Physical Description: Lavender to pink flowers clustered in 3″ heads on long leafy stems. Intensely fragrant, minty leaves. Spreads by rhizomes.
Care and Maintenance: Mildew if irrigated by spray. Spent stems must be cut back to basal rosette.
Gardener’s notes: Native southwestern mint that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Leaves and flowers used herbally. Related red-flowered beebalm, M. didyma, although often available, suffers in dry heat.
Information from: https://desertblooms.nmsu.edu/