....bergamot

Yogis,
Each summer I write about a few of my plant friends to get you better acquainted if you haven’t already connected. Every plant is unique. Every plant has a role. Every one deserves attention. And every plant has its own personality.

Today I introduce easy going beautiful bergamot!

 

You know those friends who don’t stress over their appearance? Wild hair, leggy, a little messy, yet always gorgeous? Well, that is her.

Belonging to the genus Monardo in the mint family, she is known to many as bee balm. There are several species of bergamot, two of which call my garden home. I have wild bergamot with lavender flowers and red bee balm. Both are in bloom now and make me quite happy.

With a name like bee balm, you know who else is happy!

Bergamot attracts many kinds of bees as well as plenty of butterflies. My resident hummingbirds too are drawn to hover and drink from tubular petals on crownlike flowers. In July it always looks like a party is going strong in the bergamot sections of the garden.

As a native and perennial, she is no fuss, no muss. Her four-foot-tall skinny stems appear each spring without fail and spread quietly over time. As a bud appears you get a hint of what is to come. Soon her glorious flower emerges. When I look closely, I feel I see ribbons and streamers. Delicate and fun. All surrounding an intricately designed center.

She is carefree yet hardy. Handles direct sun and part shade. Drought tolerant and not picky about the soil you place her feet in. Transplanting…..no problem. Leaning over…..no problem. Other plants around…..great!

She is also medicinal. Native Americans and early settlers used leaves to cure headaches, sore eyes, and colds. Her fresh leaves can be used for tea, although she is not to be confused with the bergamot orange that is used for earl grey. Dried leaves can be used in place of oregano or thyme in cooking.

Plant some bergamot today and let the party begin!

The birds and the bees,
SARAH