Native to the entire continental United States, with the exception of California and Hawaii, wild bergamot is an easy to grow perennial that mixes effortlessly with other summer blooming natives such as swamp milkweed.

Wild bergamot is in the mint family and spreads by slender underground rhizomes, though it is clump forming and not invasive. Tufted lavender flowers are produced at the end of each stem.

Importance as a caterpillar food source: Wild bergamot is not known as a caterpillar food source.

Importance as a butterfly nectar source: A wide variety of butterflies find wild bergamot an attractive nectar souce.