Bee Balm - Bergamot - Monarda

Common Names: Bee Balm, Bergamot, Monarda, Oswego Tea, Horsemint

Botanical names: Monarda didyma

Availability: Summer

Vase life: 5 to 9 days

Storage temperatures: 36 - 41 degrees Fahrenheit

Ethylene Sensitive: Yes

Description: The flowers are tubular and form in dense, rounded clusters. Each individual flower has a two-lipped structure, with the upper lip forming a hood and the lower lip acting as a landing pad for pollinators.

Color: Red, pink, purple, and white. The red varieties are the most popular.

Botanical facts: Named for Nicholas Monardes (1493-1588), Spanish botanist and physician. He wrote of this plant in 1569 and called it bergamot because the foliage scent is similar to the Italian bergamot orange, source of oil used in cosmetics.

Design notes: The shaggy, tubular flowers provide a unique texture that contrasts well with smoother blooms, adding depth and visual interest to an arrangement.

Purchasing hints: Purchase when half of the buds are open and half still closed.

Conditioning: Remove all foliage that will be below the water line. Cut two inches off of the stem ends with a sharp knife. Hydrate in a solution of water and commercial floral food for two hours before storage or usage.

Additional notes: Monarda was a tea substitute in New England and New York after the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Another common name is Oswego Tea, named after Oswego, NY. The tea is said to relieve nausea and insomnia. When placed in boiling water, a yellowish, pleasant tea is produced. Bees love this flower which also explains another common name, Bee Balm.