The mauve flowers of this plant attract many pollinators. The aromatic leaves make a nice tea on their own.
Colour: Pink
Blooms: July-September
Height (cm): 60-120
Sun: Full
Soil: All
Moisture: Medium
Other traits: Herbal, Edible, Wild Bergamot is adored by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Wild Bergamot has a strong thyme like scent with a citrus top note. Wild bergamot contains high levels of thymol. Used for it's stimulating, anti inflammatory, diuretic, anti-parasitic and antiseptic properties. Native Americans drank tea of leaves and flowers for colds to relieve congestion, induce sweating and relieve flatulence and vomiting. Native Americans and early settlers used it for flavouring meat. Well known as a tea substitute along with Oswego Tea after the Boston Tea Party which made black tea virtually unattainable and very expensive. Still in use today for tea, flavouring foods and raw in salads. Note: not to be confused with "Bergamot" essential oil which is expressed from a citrus fruit which Wild bergamot was named after.
