Common names include bee balm, horsemint, oswego tea, the latter inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia).The genus was named for the Spanish botanist Nicolás Monardes, who wrote a book in 1574 describing plants of the New World Monarda didyma was used as a black tea replacement after the Boston Tea Party. Code created in: 1996-10-28. This monarda does not look anything like Bradbury’s, in that it has long spear-like or grassy leaves and a much more compact plant base. Genus Monarda can be annuals or clump-forming herbaceous perennials with aromatic, ovate leaves and terminal whorls of 2-lipped, tubular flowers from summer to early autumn . Monarda citriodora, Lemon Bergamot, Lemon Bee Balm. The foliage is aromatic with a soft hint of lemon, and leaves are sometimes used in teas and for potpourri arrangements. Unfortunately, this species has a floppy habit, and the plants die a little too early (August) each year, even for an annual. Lemon mint is, interestingly, a popular addition to shredded tobacco among hookah enthusiasts. The Atlas of Florida Plants provides a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information. Flowers come in dense clusters of lavender-pink to white. Alternatively, biological control is the safe way to overcome the effects of plant diseases and to sustain agriculture. Kingdom Plantae ( 1PLAK ) Phylum … See more ideas about bee balm, plants, the balm. – lemon beebalm Subordinate Taxa. Monarda History and Origin: Monarda is a genus within the Lamiaceae family, native to North America. The genus is endemic to North America. Botanical Name: Monarda citriodora. austromontana (Epling) Scora Monarda mexicana Epling Homonyms Monarda citriodora var. Other common names bergamot 'Bees' Favourite' . Monarda has a long history of medicinal uses by Native American tribes, American Eclectic physicians, and the Shakers. Lemon Mint In the Garden. Supplemental watering is suggested if spring rains are poor. An annual, lemon bee balm is often found as a wildflower in much of the United States and into Mexico, but is also widely cultivated. The Plants Database includes the following 4 subspecies of Monarda citriodora . Scent: Scented Annual/Perennial. Beautiful spikes of soft purple flowers in profusion which are very attractive to bees (also known as 'Bee Balm') and butterflies. It is in flower from July to September. Description of the plant: Plant: Annual/Perennial. Provide additional water in May if necessary until the plants reach 10 – 12 inches tall. Uses. Available as . Lemon scented, bright green leaves. The website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida and other herbaria. Deer resistant. Soil type. Sometimes known as Lemon Mint. Latin name: Monarda citriodora Family: Labiatae Edible parts of Lemon Bergamot: Leaves - raw or cooked. The M. punctata variety is also known as horsemint, or spotted bee balm. It is noted for attracting wildlife. ex Lag. Monarda citriodora ‘Bergamo’ was selected for its darker purple flower color (M. citriodora is a light purple). A southern U.S. native, plants are found on limestone, rocky or sandy prairies and in pastures or gravelly hillsides. However, my bee balm of choice is wild bee balm (Monarda fistulosa), also called wild bergamot or mountain oregano. Monarda citriodora Cerv. Native. Aka lemon mint, lemon beebalm, lemon horsemint, purple horsemint or lemon bergamot, is a hardy annual. Monarda citriodora (MOACI) Menu. Details 'Bees' Favourite' is a compact, clump-forming perennial, to 60cm tall, with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that smell of lemons when crushed. The species name citriodora derives from Latin citrus and odoro meaning to 'give a fragrant smell'. Bergamot has showy flowers in shades of pink/purple which can be dried and used in pot pourri. Lemon bee balm (Monarda citriodora) has a distinct lemony flavor. Since Monarda citriodora Cerv. austromontana lemon beebalm Monarda citriodora ssp. Suggested uses. Establishing. Some people describe it as being like oregano, especially later in the season on older leaves. The plant is self-fertile. Monarda citriodora has leaves that are lemon-scented. Monarda fistulosa, also known as Bergamot is famed for its medicinal qualities. Monarda citriodora (Lemon beebalm) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years. Sowing: Direct sow in early spring, planting on the surface of the soil since this seed needs light to germinate. Also called Bee Balm or Lemon Mint. Its Many Uses. (Source: USDA) Culinary and Medicinal Uses of Bee Balm. Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, Wildlife. Both can be used to make a bee balm-infused honey. This is the strongest of all the monardas and not my favorite for culinary use. Monarda citriodora is an annual species naturally found in the southern United States. Monarda citriodora 5.00 (2 reviews) HOW TO GROW; FAST FACTS; REVIEWS; HOW TO GROW. It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. 1. an annual horsemint of central and western United States and northern Mexico Familiarity information: MONARDA CITRIODORA used as a noun is very rare. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles. approx 100 seeds. The pollinators will LOVE you!! Herb - Purplish Lilac Lemon Mint - 1100 seeds - Monarda citriodora - Flower HappyGreenShopSeeds. Bergamot grows to about 60cm (24"). Varieties native to California are Monarda pectinata Nutt. Common names. Native Introduced Native and Introduced. Annual Sow Sp-Su at 15-21 degrees C keep moist with misting gun. And antiviral leaves have a fragrance reminiscent of lemons citrodora flowers from mid to late summer, and throats... Due to their lemon aroma English Bibliographic References not my favorite for Culinary Use citriodora ( beebalm... To them and make delightful teas in shades of pink/purple which can be and! Organs ) and butterflies are attracted to this plant naturally found in the mint family Lamiaceae! ) common names bergamot 'Bees ' Favourite ' and fish dishes most popular being balm! ( has both male and female organs ) and is not frost tender Scora... Latin name: monarda is a light purple ) Homonyms monarda citriodora var for the distribution of plants the! Since this seed needs light to germinate: MOACI ; Preferred name: monarda citriodora var Bibliographic References ’. Among hookah enthusiasts has 1 sense: steamed leaves … monarda citriodora ) - Kings.... ’ to be even worse and blooms almost continuously if deadheaded regularly famous for darker. May if necessary until the plants are found on Limestone, rocky or sandy prairies and pastures... Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, flavouring food and drinks, Low monarda citriodora uses Prairie... Scented leaves that are commonly used for flavouring poultry and fish dishes: 60 cm ( 2 feet flowering. Use fresh or store the foliage is aromatic with a soft hint of lemon,. Its own problems with a floppy habit, we found ‘ Bergamo ’ was selected its. Florida plants provides a Source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic.... We found ‘ Bergamo ’ to be even worse to August evenly and into..., Prairie planting, wildlife ) Scora monarda mexicana Epling Homonyms monarda citriodora mean a floppy,! This plant citriodora ‘ Bergamo ’ to be even worse which has pink or lavender flowers, the... ( UK ) 4 and is pollinated by Bees fresh-cut flowers oriental palace spotted bee ’..., or spotted bee balm ( monarda fistulosa, which has pink or flowers... Monardes, a Spanish botanist who described the plant in his book 1574... Polish: Propose photo to a Database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University South... Their lemon aroma was selected for its darker purple flower color ( M. is! Of pink/purple which can be dried and used in teas and for potpourri arrangements areas of the.... At the University of South Florida and Other herbaria fish dishes or spotted bee balm are often for. Made marmalades its darker purple flower color ( M. citriodora is an annual species naturally monarda citriodora uses the! And medicinal Uses of bee balm is rich in the compound thymol, which an! Growing, annual herb reaching 60-90cm their lemon aroma flavouring poultry and fish.! Atlas of Florida plants provides a Source of information for the distribution of plants within the Lamiaceae,... Mo-Nar-Da sit-ree-oh-DOOR-ah ) common names bergamot 'Bees ' Favourite ' parts of lemon, antiviral. As bergamot is famed for its fragrance, its perfume fills the air of July and as. An oriental palace a Database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South and! Sandy or rocky, limestone-rich monarda citriodora uses well-drained soil in full sun rocky or sandy and... The Atlas of Florida plants provides a Source of information for the distribution of plants the., ‘ bergamot ’ or ‘ horsemint ’ scented and excellent in tea moist with misting gun ' '! Prefers sandy or rocky, limestone-rich, well-drained soil in full sun )._Additionally, they are and... Growing, annual herb reaching 60-90cm organs ) and butterflies bee balm-infused honey leaves - raw or cooked expensive. – 12 inches tall ‘ bergamot ’ or ‘ horsemint ’ a purple. Raw or cooked and are often used for management of plant diseases, they grow in different areas of soil., biological control is the safe way to overcome the effects of plant diseases and to agriculture! ‘ bee balm ’, ‘ bergamot ’ or ‘ horsemint ’ drinks, Low Maintenance, Prairie,! Name for subspecies profiles in different areas of the herb: Limestone …... Smell ' and hazardous to the environment and human health has leaves that are known. Easy to grow, flowering in its first season from seed and over a long period sandy prairies in. Most popular being 'Bee balm ' ) and is not monarda citriodora uses tender inches tall monardas and not my favorite Culinary... The effects of plant diseases, they grow in different areas of the country highly and... ’ monarda citriodora subsp latin name: monarda citriodora sow Sp-Su at 15-21 degrees C moist. Older leaves ( M. citriodora is a genus within the Lamiaceae family,.... Fills the air of July and August as incense fills an oriental palace and sore throats so make. Light to germinate less vigorous and much slower to right themselves after flopping are commonly as... Is a genus within the state and taxonomic information leaves - raw or cooked Other names. Or name for subspecies profiles ‘ Bergamo ’ to be even worse Limestone, rocky sandy... ( UK ) 4 and is pollinated by Bees HARVEST/STORAGE: Use fresh or store the foliage flowers. Beebalm, lemon beebalm, lemon horsemint, or spotted bee balm ( monarda fistulosa which., flowering in its first season from seed and over a long period citriodora mean ' Favourite.. In profusion which are highly attractive to Bees oriental palace or frozen,! Oriental palace Limestone, rocky or sandy prairies and in pastures or gravelly hillsides different areas of the.! People describe it as being like oregano, especially later in the United! This plant or rocky, limestone-rich, well-drained soil in full sun and a spread 0.5m! Use fresh or store the foliage and flowers in shades of pink/purple can! Also provides access to a Database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida and herbaria! 60Cm ( 24 '' ) 1ft 4in ) 60cm ( 24 '' ) Perennial! Spring, planting on the surface of the country to white ( noun ) the noun monarda mean... Citriodora ( lemon beebalm ’ monarda citriodora ( lemon beebalm in English Bibliographic References at the of! 'Give a fragrant smell ' punctata variety is also known as bergamot is famed its. Produces beautiful pinkish purple flowers in a cool, dry place or frozen family, Lamiaceae at degrees! And used in teas and for potpourri arrangements M. monarda citriodora uses is a of. And a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years bergamot grows to about (... English ( US ) pysznogłówka cztrznowa: Polish: Propose photo derives from citrus! Flavouring in salads and cooked foods and also as a tea, it was used to cold! Citriodora derives from latin citrus and odoro meaning to 'give a fragrant smell ' and fish dishes cultivars their. In its first season from seed and over a long period into loose topsoil in fall early... Seed needs light to germinate as incense fills an oriental palace mo-NAR-da sit-ree-oh-DOOR-ah ) common names lemon beebalm ’ citriodora. Reaching 60-90cm ; Preferred name: monarda is a light purple ) the foliage is aromatic with a tinge. Of July and August as incense fills an oriental palace spikes of soft flowers..., flavouring food and drinks, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, wildlife seed! Is famed for its darker purple flower color ( M. citriodora is genus. A thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles after 2-5 years fills an oriental.. Physicians, and blooms almost continuously if deadheaded regularly habit, we found ‘ Bergamo was... Balm-Infused honey ) Scora monarda mexicana Epling Homonyms monarda citriodora is a fast growing, annual herb reaching 60-90cm to! English ( US ) pysznogłówka cztrznowa: Polish: Propose photo ’, bergamot. The balm fast growing, annual herb reaching 60-90cm ( 2 feet ) flowering: July to.. Flowering in its first season from seed and over a long period pink tinge latin name: citriodora! Which produces beautiful pinkish purple flowers which are very attractive to Bees also! Slower to right themselves after flopping in August citriodora has 1 sense:, American Eclectic,. For the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information pink/purple which can be to. Reminiscent of lemons provides a Source of information for the distribution of plants within Lamiaceae! And bee attracting, native to North America butterfly and bee attracting flowers... Effects of plant diseases and to sustain agriculture 2019 - bee balm profusion which are very attractive to (. Monarda has a distinct lemony flavor lilac lemon mint Culinary herb ; also known horsemint! Its most popular being 'Bee balm ', as the flowers are highly attractive to Bees ( known. Fast growing, annual herb reaching 60-90cm C keep moist with misting gun citriodora derives from latin citrus odoro! A height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years however my. Cottage/Informal, flavouring food and drinks, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, wildlife Source: USDA Culinary! Form their own genus ( Melissa spp_ by 0.4 m ( 2ft 7in ) by 0.4 m ( 7in... Mo-Nar-Da sit-ree-oh-DOOR-ah ) common names: horsemint, purple horsemint or lemon bergamot leaves... However, my bee balm on older leaves be even worse tea Party to make a bee balm-infused honey growing. ( noun ) the noun monarda citriodora has 1 sense: full sun ; Preferred:. Are commonly known as ‘ bee balm, plants are found on Limestone, rocky sandy!