Wisconsin Prairies Wild Bergamot

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
In the Midwest Garden with Rob zimmer On Whby is
brought to you by Care Patrol local Senior care Advisors.
Here's Rob with today's tip.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
One of the classic prairie blooming wildflowers now in full
glory is wild bergamot, a classic prairie blooming wildflower that
has been incorporated into prairie restorations as well as backyard
gardens and pollinator gardens. Wild Bergamot is sometimes referred to
as bee balm. This week on in the Midwest Garden,
I'm showcasing prairies and specific prairie wildflowers that we can

(00:31):
enjoy now in August, which is peak prairie bloom season.
Wild Bergamot, in a beautiful shade of lavender or light purple,
grows to about three to five feet high. Its fragrant
foliage and flowers are prized by just about every pollinating
species found in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The native version
of any number of garden bee bombs, wild Bergamot attracts hummingbirds,

(00:51):
hummingbird moths, monarchs, swallowtails, bumblebees, skippers, any number of native bees,
as well as honeybees. Its long tubular flow growing clusters
at the tip of the branching stems, long lasting in
mid to late summer, and blooming at an important time
when hummingbirds and monarchs are just beginning their migration. A
classic prairie bloom, wild Bergamot often grows alongside prairie grasses

(01:14):
such as big Blue Stem and little Blue Stem, as
well as orange milkweed, false sunflower, blazing stars, and more.
The plant is available through many native plant nurseries here
in the Midwest, including stone sil of prairie gardens located
into pier as well as mail order nurseries such as
Prairie Moon, Johnson and Prairie Nursery. Wild Bergamot is also

(01:34):
a prized edible wild plant used in an assortment of
different teas, cookies, ice cream and more. I'll have more
to come on Prairie Blooming Beauty all this week in
the Midwest.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
Garden Looking for more tips in the Midwest Garden with
Rob Zimmer is available anytime at whby dot com and
brought to you by care Patrol Local senior care advisors.
Find out more at Carepatrol dot com.