Bergamot 'Lemon' (Monarda citriodora)
Lemon Bergamot is a culinary and medicinal herb, native to the United States and Mexico that blooms in the late spring and early summer. Its 3-foot stem is covered in dense purple whorls, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and herbalists to the garden, while its lemon-scented leaves add a subtle, fresh scent. Bergamot can be grown year-round as a perennial or as an annual in colder climates.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Monarda didyma, Monarda fistulosa,
Monarda citriodora |
| Common Names | Bee Balm, Oswego Tea, Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot, Lemon Bee Balm, Lemon Mint, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Bergamot, Plains Horsemin |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Origin | Eastern North America |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 2–4 ft × 2–3 ft |
| Light | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining, moisture-retentive |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Scarlet Red |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Division, Cuttings, Seeds |
| Seasonal Traits | Deciduous |
| Time to Harvest | Leaves anytime; flowers at peak bloom |
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