Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa var. mollis) - Local

Wild Bergamot is one of the most iconic American prairie plants, offering incredible nectar for bumblebees and fragrant leaves for humans. Many people think Wild Bergamot is aggressive because it’s in the mint family and spreads by rhizomes, but its rhizomes don’t travel far. This gives it a clumping growth habit similar to Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Most American grassland plants spread by rhizomes, and in the case of Wild Bergamot, this is a benefit. Its modest spread and prolific blooms make it one of the showiest plants you can grow. It's a short-lived perennial, so if you want to control it, it's very easy to snip seed pods and transplant. This species is a key nectar plant for many of our bees and butterflies, including the American bumblebee and the Diana fritillary.