Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot – Mintleaf – 100 Seeds, Heirloom Herb (Monarda fistulosa

INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH EVERY ORDER! Wild Bergamot – Mintleaf Bee Balm (Monarda Fistulosa) – 100 Seeds •Non-GMO •American grown seeds •Bee Friendly •Butterfly Friendly •Hummingbird Friendly Description: Grow Monarda Fistulosa seeds for this attractive and useful perennial herb plant. Also known as Wild Bergamot this perennial is an upright growing plant which spreads out. It has a lovely lavender blossom and distinctively aromatic foliage. Its sweet nectar is a favorite of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Mint Leaf Bee Balm is native to eastern North America and the plains, and it is easy to grow from flower seeds and it multiplies quickly. Monarda Fistulosa Bergamot can be found naturally along riverbanks and enjoys this rich, organic, moist soil. However, it will grow in average soil as well. Full sun is best, but light shade is tolerated. Mintleaf Bee Balm plants tend to spread more quickly in the shade. Most Monarda herbs multiply rapidly either by underground stems or freely sowing their own flower seeds. In order to keep plants healthy and vigorous, they should be divided at least every three years in the spring. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time. Powdery mildew is a common fungal problem with Wild Bergamot herb plants. To prevent this fungus from appearing, large clumps should be thinned out so that the air circulates freely around them. The soil should also be kept consistently moist; dry soil promotes powdery mildew. Medicinal Properties: Wild bergamot was often employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints, but especially those connected with the digestive system. It is still sometimes used in modern herbalism. The leaves and flowering stems are carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, gastric disorders, aching kidneys, to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throats. Externally, it is applied as a poultice to skin eruptions, cuts etc and as a wash for sore eyes. The leaves can be harvested before the plant flowers, or they can be harvested with the flowering stems. They can be used fresh or dried. The plant contains the essential oil “bergamot oil” which can be inhaled to treat bronchial complaints. The leaves also contain “thymol”, an essential oil that can be used to expel gas from the digestive tract. Planting Instructions: Sow Mintleaf Bee Balm seeds in small pots in late winter. Apply a starter fertilizer solution for the seedlings. Water when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Pinch off the tops of the plants several times during the growing season to encourage branching and a bushier growth habit. When the roots fill the container (about 2 months) they are ready for planting in the garden. Plant the Wild Bergamot seedlings in a sunny, weed-free, well-drained soil, 20 – 30 inches apart. Water, if there are no rains. Wild Bergamot seeds can also be broadcast on a weed-free surface from January to mid-May in sunny locations. Irrigate regularly to keep herb seeds moist until germination, and continue to water Monarda seedlings during prolonged dry periods. Season: Perennial USDA Zones: 3-10 Height: 30-60 inches Bloom Season: Summer Light Required: Full sun to partial shade Watering: Keep moist Soil: Well drained Seed Depth: Seeds must be covered thinly, no more than the thickness of the seed. Seeds per Plant: 4 Plant Spacing: 20-30 inches Shipping: All orders are shipped USPS First Class with tracking at a flat rate whether you buy 1 seed order or 100. Free shipping over $35. All orders come in a resealable plastic zip lock bag labeled with growing instructions. If stored properly, your seeds can last for years. All seeds have been tested to ensure the highest germination rate possible. Our seeds have no weeds or fillers mixed in. You will get 100% of the seed you ordered. We do our absolute best to get all orders placed before 4pm out that day. Orders placed after 4pm will ship the following day. During peak seasons, processing times may be slightly longer. If you have any questions, please contact us at any time. ***These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore we cannot claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information on our site is provided for educational purposes only.