Monarda clinopodia

Common Names

White Bergamot, Basil Beebalm, Basil Bergamot, Bee Balm

Summary

Monarda clinopodia, commonly called White Bergamot or Basil Beebalm, is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family native to the eastern United States. It grows erect to 2–4 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, with square stems, opposite 5–6 inch leaves that emit a minty fragrance, and terminal clusters of white flowers with purple-dotted lower lips that bloom in summer for about 2–3 weeks, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and naturalizing in woodlands, moist meadows, and along stream banks.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and evenly moist, well-drained soils, tolerating clay soils and a range of pH; propagation by seeds or division; it is hardy in USDA zones 5–8 and shows good powdery mildew resistance with adequate airflow; regular deadheading promotes continued blooming. Practical uses include native/pollinator gardens, woodland-edge plantings, and meadow or mass plantings; leaves and flower heads can be brewed into tea; the plant spreads via rhizomes to form colonies but is not invasive and is deer resistant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-6 feet

Spread

2-4 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Evenly moist, well-drained soil that accommodates loamy, clay, or sandy textures and tolerates neutral to slightly acidic or basic pH.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, consistently moist soil.

Soil pH

6.1-8.4 (slightly acidic to moderately alkaline)

Bloom Color

White, often with purple spots.

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green to Medium Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds