I can’t believe with how much time on TH-cam and in the garden that I spend, that I haven’t come across this channel until now. This is the best in depth video on a native plant species that I’ve seen on a while, thank you sir!
Thank you for all the information. Wild bergamot grows wild on my land. I make herbal tea with the leaves. It tastes like oregano with an aftertaste of mint. It’s lovely!
One of the best channels on TH-cam for accurate gardening information! Thank you for providing this for us-with so much to learn it’s great to find a channel with in depth factual information & the beautiful images representing the topic are a special bonus! Looking forward to what will post next!
I’m growing this for the first time from seed and have been looking for a detailed video like that that shows me what it looks like in a garden so I can plant it in the best place! Thanks!
It is relaxing listening to you describe your plants. Being a new subscriber, I cannot put into words how grateful I am. The education you bring is perfection!!
@@growitbuildit Have had seed stored in a sealed plastic bag or sealed jar not germinate. When I keep them in paper envelopes they seem to do better. Is it that seed need fresh air ?.
Hands down the best video on Wild Bergamot. Thank you for taking the time to put together a detailed and informative video. You literally answered all of the questions I had about growing this plant. Thank you! Thank you! 💖💖
I leave the seed heads on my Wild Bergamot. They look beautiful sticking out of the snow in the winter (Zone 6a) and I get more plants from self seeding every year. This year the flowers are a darker purple pink color, most likely because we have had a very rainy July and less sunny days. One of my favorite plants in my pollinator border!
I would love mine to be a little darker color. That is cool that you are noticing changes in color based on conditions. I notice different bloom times on other species, but generally don't see any color changes.
Hello Pamela. I am a newbie to this channel. I have gardened a little most of my life but never had the time to plant flowers from seed other than zinnias. Annuals from always come from the local nursery. This is my first year winter sowing and trying Wild Bergamot and other naturalizing flower seeds. Do you direct sow or winter sow? I live in 6b. Springs are wet and windy. Summers are hot and humid. Thanks in advance to a response from anyone, 😉
Okay, GESH!!! I can only have ONE New Medicinal Plant CRUSH at a Time❣‼️❣ Thanks for such beautiful, clear, & thorough information on all these plants! I started watching your videos to learn about pulling seeds from my purple cone flower. I have enjoyed watching & listening to many of your videos while pulling seeds & prepping other seeds❣ Thanks🌞🤙🏵🌿
@@growitbuildit Absolutely! Gave & Giving 👍to all your videos I watch! Also turning my Gardening group friends on to your channel!!! Your videos are well informed, beautiful, & I REALLY Enjoy the review at the end!!! Helps Me to memorize the info!!! 🌞💕
I am so grateful I found you! I sell vegetable and herb seedlings and getting ready to grow some pollinators. Your knowledge and detailed explanation is outstanding and exactly what I needed. Thank you!!🙏
I planted 3 wild bergamot seeds this year in April and 2 out of 3 are blooming in the first year. I was surprised. wasn't expecting to see flowers this year. Also I bought blunt mountain mint seeds from the east coast this year, I am in Washington state, and they are all blooming.
I had gotten a cutting of it from my friend last year. This year it bloomed like crazy!! It has made it a little hard to get near my other herbs in the garden because I don't want to get stung. The yellow jackets don't seem to upset about me being there, but the wasps and hornets I do NOT trust!
Great video! I just went to harvest some Wild Bergamot seeds today and I can't wait to plant next spring and get my prairie/meadow going. I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of your videos to see what other growing tips I can find!
One of the most informative and well organized TH-cam videos I’ve seen. I’m putting in a 40x20 foot pollinator garden and earlier today watched a lady in a video chase her dog. I’ll plant as recommended tomorrow! Georgia rain in June.
Thank you so much for this video. I love these flowers. I have been calling my Bee Balm "wild Bergamot" so thanks much for that. Something tells me if you saw the glory of the prairies that were wiped out by narrow-minded and nearsighted farmers and deforesters you would be saying, "this must be one of those flowers that made North American prairies famous in Europe to nature lovers before the destruction of the 19th and 20th centuries was complete."
Hi - I would LOVE to have seen endless prairie. I've seen some 'preserves' that have most or all of the same plants. But it would have been quite a sight to see the Cup and Compass Plants bending down as buffalo moved over them, and endless blooms from Spring to Summer.
Wish I had seen your channel a month ago. I bought tons of plants, bulbs and roots and seeds. An embarrassing amount of money was spent over the internet. And here I am watching your videos....... pulling up Amazon, Etsy and ebay to buy MORE seeds!!! I'm nuts! But great videos and information.
There is a bunch of this and queen anne's lace growing in the forest near me, was glad to find a lot of seeds so i can replant native plants in the yard
Thank you for this video. I have one of the plants here myself but it is slightly over 4 feet tall. The bottom leaves on mine tend to turn yellow and drop off as the blooms come. After the blooms are finished, we cut them off and the leaves start bushing out again. We have ensured that it doesn't spread though. Perhaps because ours is over 4 feet tall, it does tend to fall over a little in severe storms here. I love these plants. I use them in my Italian foods and make my own teas with it. I have chocolate mint growing fairly close by it. Wild Bergamot is one of my favorite plants. The smell of oregano comes from the thymol in the plant. Thyme has the same oil in it and all three have a similar taste and smell and can be used interchangeably ... even with the antiseptic qualities that they have.
I believe I have monarda didyma (looks exactly like what you showed) and it’s covered in bumblebees every single day and today i had two tiger swallowtail butterflies on it for quite a long time 😊
Your channel is awesome! Was digging up roadside milkweed 2 weeks ago & came across this plant but didn't know what it was & really liked the height of it so took it as well. Thanks to you I know what I got & how to care for it, Hooray Wild Bergamot!!!!!
Wow! I really enjoyed the depth and span of this short video. So much information that I feel like I can go get seeds, plant and baby them to adulthood and enjoy them for the rest of my life in southern Texas and even in WI. Thank you soo much!
Do u grow goldenrod...it is one of the toughest to get going....inhave yet to have ONE sprout...i am again collecting seed..i also have a hard time with milkweed .all of them...tho inhave never done swamp as i have zero wet ground..lol...texas...ya know
Hi - I have germinated several species of Goldenrod. The key is to Winter Sow it, and plant it on the surface. I have written the steps to germinate in an article. It is for Canada Goldenrod, but the same process is for all Goldenrods. I will also give you an article on germinating Milkweeds. I've grown hundreds of plants using these exact steps - growitbuildit.com/canadian-goldenrod-solidago-canadensis/#germinate growitbuildit.com/germinate-milkweed-seeds-step-by-step/
I came for the seed saving and am staying for the great growing guides, both on your website and here. You really are making me very confidant as I journey into the world of planting and growing natives. I have some Wild Bergamot in my Winter Sowing jugs at the moment, waiting patiently for it to sprout. (Zone 5A/last average frost May 14) Thank you for clear, easily understood information both hear and on your website.
Thank you for this great video. I live in Australia but hopefully will be able to track down this sensational plant . Sounds like it's just what the planet needs :)
Love your videos! I would like the names of plants to show longer or be listed in the comments. I am not sure if they are there. I was able to pause it and use the arrow button to see them one at a time. Thanks for sharing your info!
Hey, love your videos and really appreciate your approach! I just wanted to comment on how important it is to avoid fixing native Americans in the past by always using past tense to describe what they “used to do”. There are so many native people alive today who carry on their traditional life ways as best they can while living under the settler state.
Thanks, Jim. This spring I bought a wild bergamot plant. Sadly we had bad drought in the Northeast, less than 2 inch in the last 2 months. So the young plant is not gaining much bulk or height but looks very healthy. I had another before but decide to separate it from eupatorium x Chocolate. It looked amazing blossoming among darker foliage. Thanks for the tutorial. Really enjoying Growit Buildit flower info.
The tag on my 4in pot said Bee Balm.Last yr it spread about a ft around and was short but didn't bloom,This yr it has spread and is now 6ft tall and bending with flowers. It's looks just like this wild bergamot.
You may have answered this in the video but, does one or both "like" a more acidic soil?! Thank you so much for all the work, effort & energy that you have put into your blog & videos! Besides TheRustedGarden, (UNTIL or UNLESS others begin to realize..) your channel & Gary's- are the only references I use almost religiously, in a digital format! (Mainly because you've both, in some way- gone back to the fundamentals/soil/base levels OF gardening. *AND* you keep MOST things in mind, religiously!) Humbly, 10/10 ☆'s across the board!
Hi Xo_Xo - in general most native plants will like soil a bit acidic - anywhere between 6-7 should be just fine. My soil is around 6.8 if I remember correctly. Now that is a true compliment to be put into the same category as Gary. Thank you so much Xo_Xo. I try to keep my information comprehensive but practical. I really appreciate the kind words!
I felt blessed to have a few honey bees assisting me with gardening last year. I am allergic to yellow jackets BUT these were so sweet as they followed. My son's fear of bees greatly reduced by them. My bee balm took off at its new location. That video helped a ton thank you!
Excellent - I'm happy to hear that. Regarding bees, I spend a lot of time around flowers (obviously), and the only time I ever get stung is if I go tromping through a meadow and accidentally step on a nest (they seem to always sting me in my calves). If you are just casually observing a flower garden, they never attack. And I get very close with a camera.
Would love to see a more general video about your views on pollinator gardens including pesticides and disease. I've started one this year and have struggled with wanting it to look a certain way vs. supporting wildlife in the most ecological way I can, which is what I set out to do. Finding the balance comes with practice I expect.
I'll have to get that on the list. In general though, I don't use pesticides at all. I use some herbicides selectively on invasive species as needed. But the closest I get to pesticides is making my own tick tubes, as Lyme disease is quite prevalent where I live (my neighbor has had it). We keep our front yard more 'manicured' and nice looking, and let the back go crazy (but I pull unwanted things frequently). I have to pull/dig numerous 'volunteer' seedlings in the front each Spring, which I just accept as part of the business. But I try to take care to match conditions (sun/soil/natural moisture level) to the plant, and that helps keep problems at bay. As far as stuff like the powdery mildew, there are some home remedies you can try like spraying milk or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. But it won't kill the plant, it just makes it unsightly.
@@growitbuildit We've had some mildew but I'll take your advice on this as well and leave it alone. There have been monarch caterpillars on these milkweeds pretty consistently. There's not quite enough sun but most of the yard is this way and this was the best site. Do you have any suggestions for thinning a tree canopy? If we could get just another 2-3 hours in the afternoon it'd be perfect.
You can limb and prune trees with a pole saw to open it up temporarily. I've done it in an attempt to get more sun on my pawpaw trees. But dropping a tree is obviously the most effective method. But you need to know what you are doing to safely fell a tree.
How lovely. I had avoided planting this because I was afraid of aggressive spreading. I wonder if it would look good with one or more of the following: cosmos, rocky mountain bee plant, purple coneflowers, non-native cleome, helianthus annus, prairie smoke, or California poppies?
Hi - they look good with Echinacea for sure, they are usually done blooming when Helianthus annus blooms. They should be much taller than Prairie Smoke, and I think they bloom after Prairie smoke as well. They do bloom concurrently with Common Milkweed, False Sunflower, and I think they overlap with Cup Plant as well. I've got a list of companion plants here - growitbuildit.com/monarda-fistulosa-wild-bergamot/#uses
I have had a little plot of this for 5 years. But it is too hot and dry to flower well, but this year it has been cooler and wet and it is flowering like mad. Looks great with false sunflower and cup plant in the background. Great video
I've noticed a similar phenomenon with other species in pots. If you miss watering them in drought, they survive but won't flower. A self-preservation mechanism must kick in for perennials, while the annuals just go for broke...as there is no "next year"
I grew from seed. Germinates very readily, but did not get a single flower the first year. I totally forgot what the flowers look like, now on year 2 and looking forward to this summer when I expect they will bloom.
I’m curious if you can winter sow the seeds by your described method (on another video) to get it to flower the first year. I notice someone mentioned having success with hollyhock that way and I remember reading that years ago, but couldn’t remember the method! Lol, grateful to have made that connection on your platform and that stirs greater potentials in my mind as I’m going through my seed list…
Hi - I have never had this specific species bloom the first year, but it may be possible if you get them transplanted early. Other species of Monarda genus will bloom the first year (Spotted beebalm).
Really enjoyed this and other videos you made. As a Master Gardener I plan to show one of your videos at our next meeting along with your info for others to follow you. Is there a way to view this at our meeting without the Ads? Don't want to pay to get this done. Thanks again for your work here.
Hi Greg - click on the 'about' tab of my channel, and then you can find an email address for me. Shoot me an email with when it is and what video you are interested in, and I will see if we can get it done.
I have always loved bee balm and planted it in several gardens. I planted some in a planter box in the spring and it really was slow to grow. Never had any flowers though. I was not aware of native Bergamot. I purchased some Wild Bergamot seeds recently and was wondering if I should plant it now (August 1st) or wait until the spring. Your video is so informative and I appreciate you sharing all your knowledge with us. I just now subscribed to your blog as well. I live in Rockwood (East Tennessee) near Knoxville. Thank you.
Thank you Lisa for the kind words. Personally, I would try to start half the seeds now and try to get them in the ground by autumn. Then just watch if they sprout in the Spring. That way you may get some blooms next year.
@@growitbuildit Thank you so much. I will do that. We started a pollinator garden last year and it was just okay. But this summer, we have had a lot of butterflies, so we want to continue to grow things that pollinators like. We lived in Texas for 35 years and spent the last 7 years in East Texas. Lucky for us, we were in a flyway for Monarchs and Hummingbirds. And we actually did some work to help Monarchs hatch. It was an enlightening experience and truly a joy knowing we did a little something. We are thoroughly enjoying your videos. They are so informative and helpful and I am following your blog, too.
Hi - new to your channel and I agree with everyone else here that the videos are so informative and straight to the point. Love all the tips. Question- around 9.27 when you're talking about yellow leaves, did I see a home made bee house on a post? Looks like you drilled some holes in a piece of log? Looks awesome.
Hi - thank you so much Deborah! And yes, you did see a bee hotel. It is just a log with some holes drilled in it. They last for a few years, and take a bit of maintenance, but are fun to have. I've now built one that I fill with hollow stems from previous years flowers, and then just change them out when needed. See my old one here - th-cam.com/video/AntRrsQA4Bw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the great video! I'm having trouble finding the linked article that seems to be lost in the comment section. Can you please repost it? Thank you
Funny that you mentioned the Cup plant. I grow this in front of my Cup plants to hide the lower leaves which always yellow and look terrible. It’s a winning combination.
Amazing information. New to your site. I can see I need to research your videos before I pester with more questions. Just so excited and impatient to get to the planting stage. Have almost all of card boards down, getting ready to add leaves. I want to jump ahead and see the beautiful flowers! Mary
Excellent Mary - we have more profiles on our site than we have videos, as we generally grow plants for a couple years before making a video so we can really evaluate it. But you may find some other interesting plants there as well as some other resources like where to find native nurseries, etc. Email with any specific questions - you can click on the 'about' tab on my channel, and there you can reveal an email address.
Wonderful video. I’m about to sow some seeds directly outside. Happy to hear that they spread but not too crazily which is the main thing I worry about growing anything in my garden. It sounded like if I pick the seed heads before the seeds drop, I should be fine? Thanks so much for making these informative videos!
You are very welcome Liza! And you are right, if you remove the seed heads you will be good. But even still, they don't spread much. Their cousin, Monarda didyma (Red Bee Balm) is the one that spreads via underground rhizomes.
"Bergamot Oil" is actually from a different plant altogether. But there are essiential oils from Monarda fistulosa that are sold for general anti-bacterial, anti-viral or fungal.
Great video as always from Joe! This is my first year planting it from seed so no flowers yet, but looks like I made a great choice to bring in the pollinators here in Nebraska.
I can’t believe with how much time on TH-cam and in the garden that I spend, that I haven’t come across this channel until now. This is the best in depth video on a native plant species that I’ve seen on a while, thank you sir!
Thank you Hercules! I'm glad you found me and are liking my videos.
I agree! I was just going to post that...I saved this one for sure and will keep subscribed to this channel.
Yes, I agree! Just wondering about use in earl grey tea. Or did I miss it? I have it growing wild.
Hi @Latebloomershow, I did not address using the leaves for tea. That is a topic I haven't explored with this plant yet
@@Latebloomershow from what I know, bergamot in earl grey tea is from the bergamot citrus oil. Common names…
Thank you for all the information. Wild bergamot grows wild on my land. I make herbal tea with the leaves. It tastes like oregano with an aftertaste of mint. It’s lovely!
You're welcome Kathleen - I've not tried the tea but I could see it being quite good.
One of the best channels on TH-cam for accurate gardening information! Thank you for providing this for us-with so much to learn it’s great to find a channel with in depth factual information & the beautiful images representing the topic are a special bonus! Looking forward to what will post next!
Thank you Marcy! I try to make my videos as informative as I can!
Absolutely loved the slow motion footage of the hummingbird clearwing moth!
That was awesome to be able to get that close, and have it be in focus
I’m growing this for the first time from seed and have been looking for a detailed video like that that shows me what it looks like in a garden so I can plant it in the best place! Thanks!
Excellent - you're going to love this flower!
Some insect ate practically all the leaves the first night I planted it! How can I protect her until she is an adult? 😮
It is relaxing listening to you describe your plants. Being a new subscriber, I cannot put into words how grateful I am. The education you bring is perfection!!
Excellent - thank you again Gin.
@@growitbuildit Have had seed stored in a sealed plastic bag or sealed jar not germinate. When I keep them in paper envelopes they seem to do better. Is it that seed need fresh air ?.
They need to be fully dry before sealing in something. Also keep out of sunlight
Thank you for this totally informative, beautifully photographed and inspiring video! Looking forward to planting Wild Bergamot!
It is a heck of a plant. It really is that busy with pollinators as you saw in the video. You'll love it Venice.
Hands down the best video on Wild Bergamot. Thank you for taking the time to put together a detailed and informative video. You literally answered all of the questions I had about growing this plant. Thank you! Thank you! 💖💖
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful!
I leave the seed heads on my Wild Bergamot. They look beautiful sticking out of the snow in the winter (Zone 6a) and I get more plants from self seeding every year. This year the flowers are a darker purple pink color, most likely because we have had a very rainy July and less sunny days. One of my favorite plants in my pollinator border!
I would love mine to be a little darker color. That is cool that you are noticing changes in color based on conditions. I notice different bloom times on other species, but generally don't see any color changes.
Hello Pamela. I am a newbie to this channel. I have gardened a little most of my life but never had the time to plant flowers from seed other than zinnias. Annuals from always come from the local nursery. This is my first year winter sowing and trying Wild Bergamot and other naturalizing flower seeds. Do you direct sow or winter sow? I live in 6b. Springs are wet and windy. Summers are hot and humid. Thanks in advance to a response from anyone, 😉
@@Gin0827 In 6b I'd stick with Winter Sowing, except for Calendula and others you can just toss seed heads where you want them to appear.
great in a vase, too!
Okay, GESH!!! I can only have ONE New Medicinal Plant CRUSH at a Time❣‼️❣
Thanks for such beautiful, clear, & thorough information on all these plants! I started watching your videos to learn about pulling seeds from my purple cone flower. I have enjoyed watching & listening to many of your videos while pulling seeds & prepping other seeds❣
Thanks🌞🤙🏵🌿
Thank you! I'm happy you are enjoying our videos and really appreciate the kind words!
@@growitbuildit Absolutely! Gave & Giving 👍to all your videos I watch! Also turning my Gardening group friends on to your channel!!!
Your videos are well informed, beautiful, & I REALLY Enjoy the review at the end!!! Helps Me to memorize the info!!! 🌞💕
Thank you so much!
I am so grateful I found you! I sell vegetable and herb seedlings and getting ready to grow some pollinators. Your knowledge and detailed explanation is outstanding and exactly what I needed. Thank you!!🙏
Thank you Olga! I'm glad you are finding it helpful
Best channel I’ve viewed. Concise is an understatement. Much appreciated, Sir
Thank you very much Jim - I'm happy you are enjoying my videos.
I planted 3 wild bergamot seeds this year in April and 2 out of 3 are blooming in the first year. I was surprised. wasn't expecting to see flowers this year. Also I bought blunt mountain mint seeds from the east coast this year, I am in Washington state, and they are all blooming.
I've had other species of Monarda bloom first year if I had them transplanted early enough. But never had a mountain mint do the same - good work!
I had gotten a cutting of it from my friend last year. This year it bloomed like crazy!! It has made it a little hard to get near my other herbs in the garden because I don't want to get stung. The yellow jackets don't seem to upset about me being there, but the wasps and hornets I do NOT trust!
If you are worried about the wasps, then don't grow Mountain Mint. Mine is crawling with them. But it is a great flower.
I can't believe how many hummingbird sphinx moths visit your garden!
If you build it....they will come!
You have some of the most in depth videos on TH-cam! You totally deserve way more subscribers! Awesome. Will share with my gardener friends
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying them!
Great video! I just went to harvest some Wild Bergamot seeds today and I can't wait to plant next spring and get my prairie/meadow going. I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of your videos to see what other growing tips I can find!
Excellent - thank you Michaela and good luck on starting your meadow!
Thanks for commenting on yellowing leaves and powdery mildew.
You are very welcome
One of the most informative and well organized TH-cam videos I’ve seen. I’m putting in a 40x20 foot pollinator garden and earlier today watched a lady in a video chase her dog. I’ll plant as recommended tomorrow! Georgia rain in June.
Thank you Susan! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Good luck getting your plants started!
Thank you so much for this video. I love these flowers. I have been calling my Bee Balm "wild Bergamot" so thanks much for that.
Something tells me if you saw the glory of the prairies that were wiped out by narrow-minded and nearsighted farmers and deforesters you would be saying, "this must be one of those flowers that made North American prairies famous in Europe to nature lovers before the destruction of the 19th and 20th centuries was complete."
Hi - I would LOVE to have seen endless prairie. I've seen some 'preserves' that have most or all of the same plants. But it would have been quite a sight to see the Cup and Compass Plants bending down as buffalo moved over them, and endless blooms from Spring to Summer.
Wish I had seen your channel a month ago. I bought tons of plants, bulbs and roots and seeds. An embarrassing amount of money was spent over the internet. And here I am watching your videos....... pulling up Amazon, Etsy and ebay to buy MORE seeds!!! I'm nuts! But great videos and information.
Thank you again Seamus! I do pretty much all my seed buying in one or two shots in December/Jan, and then just Winter Sow the plants.
This plant is beautiful and produces free plants. A win win.
Thanks,so happy I found your channel.so interesting sndinformative!
Thank you Penny!
First time I ever saw this plant was in Oklahoma ! It has a breath taking wonderful scent ,a beautiful flower !
They are excellent
Your videos are always so informative and interesting. Thank you.
Thank you Veleria!
There is a bunch of this and queen anne's lace growing in the forest near me, was glad to find a lot of seeds so i can replant native plants in the yard
Excellent - good luck starting some seeds this Spring.
Thank you for this video. I have one of the plants here myself but it is slightly over 4 feet tall. The bottom leaves on mine tend to turn yellow and drop off as the blooms come. After the blooms are finished, we cut them off and the leaves start bushing out again. We have ensured that it doesn't spread though. Perhaps because ours is over 4 feet tall, it does tend to fall over a little in severe storms here. I love these plants. I use them in my Italian foods and make my own teas with it. I have chocolate mint growing fairly close by it. Wild Bergamot is one of my favorite plants. The smell of oregano comes from the thymol in the plant. Thyme has the same oil in it and all three have a similar taste and smell and can be used interchangeably ... even with the antiseptic qualities that they have.
Thank you Heather - I'm glad you liked the video. And I fully agree, Wild Bergamot is an awesome plant all around.
Awesome video, thank you. It's worth talking about First Nation peoples in the present tense also.
Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it
Thaaaank you for including what native plants to plant with it! That info has been hard for me to find.
You are very welcome! You should have a look at the plant profiles on my website, as I almost always list companion plants.
I believe I have monarda didyma (looks exactly like what you showed) and it’s covered in bumblebees every single day and today i had two tiger swallowtail butterflies on it for quite a long time 😊
That is interesting - I almost never see bumblebees on my Monarda didyma. But I will see them covering Monarda fistulosa, as you could see here.
Your channel is awesome! Was digging up roadside milkweed 2 weeks ago & came across this plant but didn't know what it was & really liked the height of it so took it as well. Thanks to you I know what I got & how to care for it, Hooray Wild Bergamot!!!!!
Thank you Criss! Wild Bergamot is a great plant. You will love it.
Wow! I really enjoyed the depth and span of this short video. So much information that I feel like I can go get seeds, plant and baby them to adulthood and enjoy them for the rest of my life in southern Texas and even in WI. Thank you soo much!
Excellent - that was my goal. And thank you for the kind words. Good luck!
Do u grow goldenrod...it is one of the toughest to get going....inhave yet to have ONE sprout...i am again collecting seed..i also have a hard time with milkweed .all of them...tho inhave never done swamp as i have zero wet ground..lol...texas...ya know
Hi - I have germinated several species of Goldenrod. The key is to Winter Sow it, and plant it on the surface. I have written the steps to germinate in an article. It is for Canada Goldenrod, but the same process is for all Goldenrods. I will also give you an article on germinating Milkweeds. I've grown hundreds of plants using these exact steps -
growitbuildit.com/canadian-goldenrod-solidago-canadensis/#germinate
growitbuildit.com/germinate-milkweed-seeds-step-by-step/
Just the type of info I need as a native plant grower. Thank you much!
You are very welcome James!
I came for the seed saving and am staying for the great growing guides, both on your website and here. You really are making me very confidant as I journey into the world of planting and growing natives. I have some Wild Bergamot in my Winter Sowing jugs at the moment, waiting patiently for it to sprout. (Zone 5A/last average frost May 14) Thank you for clear, easily understood information both hear and on your website.
Thank you Mlynn - I'm glad you are enjoying these videos. Good luck on your journey to Natives. You're going to love the wildlife!
When and how to trim Wild Bergamont?
Great video. Thank you.
You can cut it back to ground in the fall.
Thank you for this great video. I live in Australia but hopefully will be able to track down this sensational plant . Sounds like it's just what the planet needs :)
dangit! i just bought the red bee balm from a local garden center and thought it was wild bergamot. oh well now i know. great video
Start some from seed Al! It is very easy, and you can grow tons for just a few bucks.
I threw some seeds in pots and now have lots of seedlings to plant, so this was timely video, learned a lot.
Excellent - I'm glad I could help you out Terri.
I picked some wild bergamot and put them in a pot hoping they would root, they never did, but this year I have a bunch of seedlings in the pot.
Ah - the seeds must have fallen! Nice.
Love your videos! I would like the names of plants to show longer or be listed in the comments. I am not sure if they are there. I was able to pause it and use the arrow button to see them one at a time. Thanks for sharing your info!
Thank you for the feedback - and I can do that in the future.
Hey, love your videos and really appreciate your approach! I just wanted to comment on how important it is to avoid fixing native Americans in the past by always using past tense to describe what they “used to do”. There are so many native people alive today who carry on their traditional life ways as best they can while living under the settler state.
Thanks, Jim. This spring I bought a wild bergamot plant. Sadly we had bad drought in the Northeast, less than 2 inch in the last 2 months. So the young plant is not gaining much bulk or height but looks very healthy. I had another before but decide to separate it from eupatorium x Chocolate. It looked amazing blossoming among darker foliage. Thanks for the tutorial. Really enjoying Growit Buildit flower info.
You are very welcome VK! Glad your plant is doing well despite the drought. It's been brutal.
Excellent video especially with the pollinators you attracted.
Thank you Kitty!
You are great. Was captured the entire video. Loved the footage of the wind storm and deer feeding.
Thank you!
You really are a plantsman, and a very knowledgeable gardener. It’s a huge pleasure to listen to you. Thank you
Thank you Julian! I appreciate it.
The tag on my 4in pot said Bee Balm.Last yr it spread about a ft around and was short but didn't bloom,This yr it has spread and is now 6ft tall and bending with flowers. It's looks just like this wild bergamot.
The common names on the Monarda genus are a mess....
The best video I have seen on this plant, good job.
Thank you - glad you enjoyed it
Very helpful, thanks.
You are welcome Charles
Amazing comprehensive load down on wild bergamot monarda fistulosa
Thank you Hallina! I'm happy you found it helpful!
This is such a good video, thank you
You are very welcome - I'm glad you found it helpful
You may have answered this in the video but, does one or both "like" a more acidic soil?! Thank you so much for all the work, effort & energy that you have put into your blog & videos! Besides TheRustedGarden, (UNTIL or UNLESS others begin to realize..) your channel & Gary's- are the only references I use almost religiously, in a digital format! (Mainly because you've both, in some way- gone back to the fundamentals/soil/base levels OF gardening. *AND* you keep MOST things in mind, religiously!)
Humbly, 10/10 ☆'s across the board!
Hi Xo_Xo - in general most native plants will like soil a bit acidic - anywhere between 6-7 should be just fine. My soil is around 6.8 if I remember correctly.
Now that is a true compliment to be put into the same category as Gary. Thank you so much Xo_Xo. I try to keep my information comprehensive but practical. I really appreciate the kind words!
Ordered seed from a local company. Looking forward to this spring
You're going to love this flower. One of the best for bringing in pollinators.
I felt blessed to have a few honey bees assisting me with gardening last year.
I am allergic to yellow jackets BUT these were so sweet as they followed. My son's fear of bees greatly reduced by them.
My bee balm took off at its new location. That video helped a ton thank you!
Excellent - I'm happy to hear that. Regarding bees, I spend a lot of time around flowers (obviously), and the only time I ever get stung is if I go tromping through a meadow and accidentally step on a nest (they seem to always sting me in my calves). If you are just casually observing a flower garden, they never attack. And I get very close with a camera.
Good to see you enjoying & promoting this great perennial plant.
It is such a valuable plant to so many pollinators. I think it belongs in everyone's garden. Or at least the ditch!
I just started seeds
Awesome presentation as always, thank you Joe🦋🌸🐛❤️
Thank you Ana!
Would love to see a more general video about your views on pollinator gardens including pesticides and disease. I've started one this year and have struggled with wanting it to look a certain way vs. supporting wildlife in the most ecological way I can, which is what I set out to do. Finding the balance comes with practice I expect.
I'll have to get that on the list. In general though, I don't use pesticides at all. I use some herbicides selectively on invasive species as needed. But the closest I get to pesticides is making my own tick tubes, as Lyme disease is quite prevalent where I live (my neighbor has had it).
We keep our front yard more 'manicured' and nice looking, and let the back go crazy (but I pull unwanted things frequently). I have to pull/dig numerous 'volunteer' seedlings in the front each Spring, which I just accept as part of the business. But I try to take care to match conditions (sun/soil/natural moisture level) to the plant, and that helps keep problems at bay. As far as stuff like the powdery mildew, there are some home remedies you can try like spraying milk or a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. But it won't kill the plant, it just makes it unsightly.
@@growitbuildit We've had some mildew but I'll take your advice on this as well and leave it alone. There have been monarch caterpillars on these milkweeds pretty consistently. There's not quite enough sun but most of the yard is this way and this was the best site. Do you have any suggestions for thinning a tree canopy? If we could get just another 2-3 hours in the afternoon it'd be perfect.
You can limb and prune trees with a pole saw to open it up temporarily. I've done it in an attempt to get more sun on my pawpaw trees.
But dropping a tree is obviously the most effective method. But you need to know what you are doing to safely fell a tree.
Do you have any videos on Cornflower or any other flowers? I really like the way you did this video 😊👍🏽
Hi most of my channel is on native plants, so I have much. Nothing on cornflowers, but I do have two on coneflowers.
Great, informative video on Wild Bergamot. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome Shirley - glad you enjoyed it
How lovely. I had avoided planting this because I was afraid of aggressive spreading. I wonder if it would look good with one or more of the following: cosmos, rocky mountain bee plant, purple coneflowers, non-native cleome, helianthus annus, prairie smoke, or California poppies?
Hi - they look good with Echinacea for sure, they are usually done blooming when Helianthus annus blooms. They should be much taller than Prairie Smoke, and I think they bloom after Prairie smoke as well. They do bloom concurrently with Common Milkweed, False Sunflower, and I think they overlap with Cup Plant as well. I've got a list of companion plants here - growitbuildit.com/monarda-fistulosa-wild-bergamot/#uses
@@growitbuildit Thank you!
Your videos are so amazing, thank God for you, thank you for your contribution
Thank you so much!
I have had a little plot of this for 5 years. But it is too hot and dry to flower well, but this year it has been cooler and wet and it is flowering like mad. Looks great with false sunflower and cup plant in the background. Great video
I've noticed a similar phenomenon with other species in pots. If you miss watering them in drought, they survive but won't flower. A self-preservation mechanism must kick in for perennials, while the annuals just go for broke...as there is no "next year"
I grew from seed. Germinates very readily, but did not get a single flower the first year. I totally forgot what the flowers look like, now on year 2 and looking forward to this summer when I expect they will bloom.
They should bloom for you this year - it is worth the wait!
Great info! Thanks. I have horrible soil and just bought these. Hopefully they take.
They will work perfectly fine. Just keep them watered for a bit until they are established
very good information about wild bergamot ; thank you very much
You are very welcome Alma
I really love this channel! Excellent.
I'm happy you found me - Happy Gardening!
So informative 🎉
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
I’m curious if you can winter sow the seeds by your described method (on another video) to get it to flower the first year. I notice someone mentioned having success with hollyhock that way and I remember reading that years ago, but couldn’t remember the method! Lol, grateful to have made that connection on your platform and that stirs greater potentials in my mind as I’m going through my seed list…
Hi - I have never had this specific species bloom the first year, but it may be possible if you get them transplanted early. Other species of Monarda genus will bloom the first year (Spotted beebalm).
Enjoyed and appreciated the information.
Thank you Charles - I'm glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the kind words!
Thank you, great info. I love bee balm!
It is an amazing plant. Really one of the best for attracting pollinators
Beautiful, great work. Many thanks 🙏
You are welcome Richard. Good luck!
I always mark the plants with less mildew so I can collect the seeds from them. Hoping this works down the road to mitigate some of the mildew
That is a very good idea Korey. Have you ever noticed any inherited traits?
@growitbuildit I feel like it's working but I'm scared to pull the Fistulosa with the PM out, so they are still pollinating with the newer plants.
Very informative video. Just what I was looking for. Thank you
You are very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful
This is so, so helpful. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you - I'm glad you found it helpful. Good luck this season!
Really enjoyed this and other videos you made. As a Master Gardener I plan to show one of your videos at our next meeting along with your info for others to follow you. Is there a way to view this at our meeting without the Ads? Don't want to pay to get this done. Thanks again for your work here.
Hi Greg - click on the 'about' tab of my channel, and then you can find an email address for me. Shoot me an email with when it is and what video you are interested in, and I will see if we can get it done.
Another great video! Very informative, enjoyed watchihng this. Beautiful plant to grow. Thanks again for this ....
Thank you again Patrick. This is an awesome plant to grow.
@@growitbuildit I have about 10 herb plants coming that I am going to try to keep alive indoors until next Spring. Wish me luck!
That may be tough! I would probably try to overwinter the cold hardy ones in the garage.
I have always loved bee balm and planted it in several gardens. I planted some in a planter box in the spring and it really was slow to grow. Never had any flowers though. I was not aware of native Bergamot. I purchased some Wild Bergamot seeds recently and was wondering if I should plant it now (August 1st) or wait until the spring. Your video is so informative and I appreciate you sharing all your knowledge with us. I just now subscribed to your blog as well. I live in Rockwood (East Tennessee) near Knoxville. Thank you.
Thank you Lisa for the kind words.
Personally, I would try to start half the seeds now and try to get them in the ground by autumn. Then just watch if they sprout in the Spring. That way you may get some blooms next year.
@@growitbuildit Thank you so much. I will do that. We started a pollinator garden last year and it was just okay. But this summer, we have had a lot of butterflies, so we want to continue to grow things that pollinators like. We lived in Texas for 35 years and spent the last 7 years in East Texas. Lucky for us, we were in a flyway for Monarchs and Hummingbirds. And we actually did some work to help Monarchs hatch. It was an enlightening experience and truly a joy knowing we did a little something. We are thoroughly enjoying your videos. They are so informative and helpful and I am following your blog, too.
! missed hearing the the height of these beautiful plants...
HI Rhonda - about 4' tall (120 cm)
Thank you for this super informative video. Well done!
Thank you! I'm very happy you liked it.
Thank you
Pray people pray
You are welcome - good luck.
You have the most informative videos I have ever seen! Thank you!
Thank you Lisa! I'm glad you are finding them helpful.
Thanks for great video,I'm getting ready to go harvest seed heads.
Excellent - I'm sure you are going to get a lot of seed. Good luck Michael.
great in-depth info thank you
You are very welcome Gary - it's a wonderful flower.
Thanks for the info!
You are very welcome Patrick - good luck with this awesome plant!
Hi - new to your channel and I agree with everyone else here that the videos are so informative and straight to the point. Love all the tips. Question- around 9.27 when you're talking about yellow leaves, did I see a home made bee house on a post? Looks like you drilled some holes in a piece of log? Looks awesome.
Hi - thank you so much Deborah! And yes, you did see a bee hotel. It is just a log with some holes drilled in it. They last for a few years, and take a bit of maintenance, but are fun to have. I've now built one that I fill with hollow stems from previous years flowers, and then just change them out when needed. See my old one here - th-cam.com/video/AntRrsQA4Bw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the great video! I'm having trouble finding the linked article that seems to be lost in the comment section. Can you please repost it? Thank you
So sorry - here you are: growitbuildit.com/monarda-fistulosa-wild-bergamot/
Thank you!!!
Funny that you mentioned the Cup plant. I grow this in front of my Cup plants to hide the lower leaves which always yellow and look terrible. It’s a winning combination.
That is a great combination. Love our cup plants.
Love this plant. Great tips - thanks!
Thank you Mary Ann!
Very thorough. I subscribed. I am in 9b. Mine grows well but I haven't seen it bloom. Just starting year 2.
It should bloom this year for sure. You will love it
Amazing information. New to your site. I can see I need to research your videos before I pester with more questions. Just so excited and impatient to get to the planting stage. Have almost all of card boards down, getting ready to add leaves. I want to jump ahead and see the beautiful flowers! Mary
Excellent Mary - we have more profiles on our site than we have videos, as we generally grow plants for a couple years before making a video so we can really evaluate it. But you may find some other interesting plants there as well as some other resources like where to find native nurseries, etc. Email with any specific questions - you can click on the 'about' tab on my channel, and there you can reveal an email address.
Wonderful video. I’m about to sow some seeds directly outside. Happy to hear that they spread but not too crazily which is the main thing I worry about growing anything in my garden. It sounded like if I pick the seed heads before the seeds drop, I should be fine? Thanks so much for making these informative videos!
You are very welcome Liza! And you are right, if you remove the seed heads you will be good. But even still, they don't spread much.
Their cousin, Monarda didyma (Red Bee Balm) is the one that spreads via underground rhizomes.
@@growitbuilditThank you so much! Makes me so much more comfortable growing them.
Is this the plant you get oil of bergamot from?
"Bergamot Oil" is actually from a different plant altogether. But there are essiential oils from Monarda fistulosa that are sold for general anti-bacterial, anti-viral or fungal.
Nope, bergamot oil comes from a fruit that is also called bergamot or citrus bergamia.
Thank you!
You are very welcome Diane.
Can't wait to get mine soon. Good video!
Thank you - it's a wonderful flower.
I have a second year plant that I am anxious to see bloom! I cut it back in May to keep it shorter 🤞🏻
Cutting it back is a nice trick for some species. I should try that with a few of mine to prolong the blooming.
Thanks so much for giving such straight forward, easy to understand information. Love the video & your style. Planted...year 1...you have me hopeful.
Excellent William - you will love this plant! It is tough as nails, and I'm sure it will do well for you.
Your videos rule, Joe! I always look forward to them. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Jamie! I really appreciate it!
Great video as always from Joe! This is my first year planting it from seed so no flowers yet, but looks like I made a great choice to bring in the pollinators here in Nebraska.
Thank you Dennis! This is a great plant. You will love it. I've seen plenty of it in the Midwest in some of the most exposed ditches and fields.
Very thorough! Great information! Thank you!
Thank you Beth! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Very informative!
Thank you Webb!