Purple Prairie Clover vs Wild Bergamot - TreeTime.ca

Purple Prairie Clover vs Wild Bergamot

Dalea purpurea

Monarda fistulosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Purple Prairie Clover
Wild Bergamot

Purple Prairie Clover is a native perennial wildflower known for its striking purple blooms. The flower heads grow as dense spikes on tall stems, with each flower head containing many tiny blossoms. Blooming for 4–6 weeks in the summer, it attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

The high protein content of the Purple Prairie Clover makes it excellent forage for wildlife and birds like to feed on its seeds. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it enriches the soil, improving fertility and benefiting nearby vegetation. These ecological contributions make it a great choice for pollinator gardens, prairie & rangeland restoration, naturalization, and re-vegetation efforts.

This drought and heat-tolerant plant thrives in various soil conditions, including rocky soil, making it remarkably easy to grow in challenging environments.

Wild Bergamot is a native perennial wildflower that is known for its fragrant lilac-purple tubular flowers. The flowers grow in dense terminal heads and bloom from mid-summer to early fall. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage new blooms, prolonging its display. They attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It also serves as a host plant for the Raspberry Pyrausta (Pyrausta signatalis) butterfly.

Wild Bergamot belongs to the mint family, and its leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible. The leaves can be used to make tea or as a flavorful herb, with a taste often described as a blend of oregano and thyme.

It is resistant to deer and rabbits but can be susceptible to powdery mildew if planted too densely with poor air circulation. Wild Bergamot tolerates heat, drought, and poor soils, making it a low-maintenance addition to a variety of projects. It is well suited for pollinator gardens, wildflower gardens and naturalization projects.

Purple Prairie Clover Quick Facts

Wild Bergamot Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Flowers: purple flowers in dense cone-like heads
Flowers: lavendar purple; tubular
Bloom time: mid summer
Bloom time: mid summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC
Other Names: violet prairie-clover
Other Names: bee balm, eastern bergamot, oswego-tea, purple beebalm, wild horsemint