Simcoe County Master Gardeners
Grow Natives!
PLANT PROFILE
COMMON NAME: Scarlet Beebalm, Red Bergamot, Oswego tea
BINOMIAL: Monarda didyma
| Family | Lamiaceae (mint) |
| Cdn Native Range | Native to Ontario |
| Natural habitat | Woodland edge |
| Type | herbaceous perennial |
| Features | Bright red showy flower; good cut flower; seed heads attractive |
| Growth habit | multi-stemmed, clump forming, leave emit slight mint fragrance |
| Mature height | 91–122 cm (3’-4’) |
| Mature spread | 61–91 cm (2’-3’) |
| Life span | about 3 years for individual plants but it spreads by seed and rhizome |
| Cdn Hardiness Zone | 5-8 |
| Growing conditions | full sun, part sun |
| Soil conditions | best grown in rich, medium- wet, moisture -retentive soil; does best in well-draining conditions but can tolerate heavier clay |
| Watering needs | medium–wet; do not let dry out |
| Fertilizer needs | Not required |
| Tolerance | deer browsing, rabbit browsing, tolerates wet soil and black walnut |
| Maintenance rank | medium |
| Maintenance needs | Deadhead flowers to promote bloom and to prevent self-seeding; Divide clumps every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding; provide good air circulation |
| Bloom | bright red showy flower July – August |
| Fruit | n/a |
| Pollinator support | attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, pollen specialist bees |
| Environmental support | larval host for a variety of moths; orange mint, raspberry Pyrausta, stalk borer grey marvel, hermit sphinx |
| Garden Use | good plant for butterfly and bird gardens; showy plant for perennial garden |
| Risks & Cautions | Powdery mildew can be a problem, esp. with poor air flow. Drought conditions will accelerate disease problems. |
References: Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=q250
Lorraine Johnson & Sheila Colla, A Garden for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee
