Perennial. A compact, early-blooming bee balm with aromatic foliage and soft lavender flowers. Larval host of the Raspberry Pyrausta Moth.
DESCRIPTION: A tidy, low-growing perennial with whorls of pale lavender flowers. Blooms in late spring above fragrant, deep green foliage. More compact and mildew-resistant than its larger cousin Wild Bergamot.
FAUNA: Supports bumblebees, miner bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Larval host plant to the Raspberry Pyrausta Moth. Seeds eaten by birds in fall.
ORIGIN/CULTURE: Native to open woods and glades of the central and eastern United States. Well-drained soils.
HEIGHT: 1'–2'
ZONES: 5–8, full sun to part shade
GERMINATION: Sow outdoors in fall. For indoor or spring planting, cold stratify seeds at 40°F for 60 days before sowing to mimic winter cold period. An easy method is to put the seeds in the fridge in a resealable bag mixed with a small amount of barely moist growing medium or sand. Seeds are small, sow on the surface of soil as daylight aids germination.
