20 Red Bergamot seeds, Monarda didyma, Oswego Tea, USDA Organic, Ore
(Oswego Tea, Crimson Beebalm, Scarlet Bee balm)
Herbaceous perennial native to Eastern North America. Flowering crimson to three feet. One of our better native American tea plants; the aroma and taste is similar to bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia) of Earl Grey tea fame.
Plant prefers sun to part shade and moist, rich soils. Sow seed in warm conditions by barely covering, tamping well, and keeping evenly moist until germination, which is rapid. Thin or transplant to two feet apart.
Native to most of North America, it was used among indigenous peoples for medicine. These include poultices for boils and lacerations, as well as tea infusions for headaches, indigestion, and colds and flu. Traditional uses: Antiseptic, carminative, mood enhancing.
photo by Smartbyte.