Wild Bergamot vs Slender Wheatgrass - TreeTime.ca

Wild Bergamot vs Slender Wheatgrass

Monarda fistulosa

Elymus trachycaulus

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Wild Bergamot
Slender Wheatgrass

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.

As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

Slender Wheatgrass is a native perennial bunchgrass common across North America. It establishes quickly, making it effective for site recovery.
It produces upright seed heads that provide seasonal interest and seed for wildlife, and favoured for browsing by elk and sheep. Its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals, and it provides cover for wildlife.
Slender Wheatgrass is among the first native grasses used for reclamation in western Canada and the U.S. It does exceptionally well in saline soils.

Wild Bergamot Quick Facts

Slender Wheatgrass Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, clump-forming
Spreading: tillering - high, seeds - medium
Suckering: none


Flowers: lavendar purple; tubular
Bloom time: mid summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bee balm, eastern bergamot, oswego-tea, purple beebalm, wild horsemint
Other Names: slender wildrye, western wheatgrass