Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' is a graceful native wild bergamot cultivar showcasing lavender pink blooms atop soft green foliage. It's valued for its long lasting flowers and strong appeal to pollinators in sunny to part shade perennial gardens.
Height & Spread: 24 - 30 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained, fertile soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates brief dry periods
Deer Resistance: Moderate
Native Status
Native to North America. A selection of wild bergamot, this cultivar retains native plant benefits and supports regional biodiversity.
Wildlife & Insects
Butterflies
- Attracts Monarchs and Painted Ladies, which feed on its nectar rich blooms.
Bees
- Highly favored by native bumblebees, and honeybees that collect pollen and nectar from its tubular flowers.
Hummingbirds
- Sometimes visited by hummingbirds drawn to the tube shaped blooms.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow airy form and reduce mildew risk.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for native gardens, moist borders, and pollinator-friendly plantings.
Companion Plants
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) - Adds bold vertical structure and long bloom time alongside Monarda.
- Rudbeckia fulgida (Black Eyed Susan) - Provides bright contrast and shared pollinator appeal.
- Agastache 'Blue Fortune' (Anise Hyssop) - Offers fragrant blue spires and draws bees and butterflies.
- Solidago rugosa (Rough Goldenrod) - Adds late-season color and enhances pollinator diversity.
- Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot) - Reinforces native character with complementary form and bloom.