Bergamot Wild
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
A fragrant perennial herb loved for its aromatic leaves, pollinator‑friendly blooms, and medicinal heritage
🌿 Wild bergamot, also known as bee balm, is a hardy perennial native to North America. It is prized for its aromatic foliage, long‑lasting summer flowers, and exceptional value to pollinators. With soft lavender‑pink blooms and a naturally airy, upright habit, Monarda fistulosa brings colour, scent, and movement to herb gardens, wildlife borders. Its leaves have a warm, minty, oregano‑like aroma, making it both ornamental and useful in the kitchen.
Wild bergamot has a long history of culinary use among Indigenous communities and herbalists.
Leaves
• Used fresh or dried to make herbal teas with a citrus‑mint flavour
• Added sparingly to salads, fruit dishes, and desserts
• Used as a seasoning in savoury dishes, similar to oregano or thyme
Flowers
• Edible and mildly aromatic
• Used as a garnish for salads, cakes, and drinks
• Can be infused into syrups or vinegars
Flavour profile: minty, slightly citrusy, with hints of thyme and oregano.
