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How Invasive is Wild Bergamot

17 years ago

HI I was thinking of transplanting some Wild Bergamot(Mentha Citrata, bee balm) into some of my daylily beds. Will invasiveness be a problem? I think it will look pretty among all of my different cultivars but I don't want it to terrorze them! I can't devote alot of time to ridding them of a problem it it should become one. Thanks Tammy

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Comments (4)

ladyslppr
17 years ago
Tammy,
Usually when I hear someone say "wild bergamot" they are referring to Monarda fistulosa, the pink or purplish flowered upright native mint that occurs in the wild across the eastern and midwestern US (and perhaps farther west and north). Mentha citrata is another plant entirely, and I don't know anything about Mentha citrata. However, if you're talking about Modarda fistulosa, then I don't think you'll have any problems with it taking over your daylily beds. Wild bergamot does spread in the garden, but isn't any more invasive than most perennials, in my experience. I would say it spreads about as much as daylilys, so I think the two will coexist just fine.
ridgedweller
17 years ago
I started a clump of monarda fistulosa in my garden 3 years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it. When it blooms, not only is it quite striking, but, the bumblebees love it. It is in constant motion from early in the morning until late evening. Everyone who sees it in bloom loves it and I have given away many starts. I have had no trouble with it invading anything. It is very well behaved. Stays in one clump similar to a daylily. My ground is clay and gravel, don't know how it would respond to good soil! it is one of my favorites.
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ptr_hml
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the info Here is the link where I found the scientific name- http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/weedid/. It is my alma mater so I assumed they would be correct! We just bought about 10 new daylilys so don't know when I will get around to digging the bergamot in the north pasture! I am going to get to it soon!
sam_md
17 years ago
Here's an example where we would be better off sticking to Latin names. Mentha citrata or Bergamint is the plant in question. It is an introduced mint from Europe.

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