Uses for Bergamot

Description

• Bergamot is a tall perennial herb (up to 3 feet) with striking red florets on strong, square stems. It is native to the eastern United States. Its leaves and flowers are very aromatic.

In the Garden

• As a garden specimen, Bergamot is an attractive addition to the back of the border. It is used to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees and makes an excellent cut flower.

Medicinal Uses

• Because of its citrus-flavored leaves, Bergamot was used by the Oswego Indians of New York as a tea, which they passed along to the colonials. In early America, it was used to clear the sinuses, ease sore throats and treat colds.

Uses Today

• Bergamot is used today as a scent in perfumes, to flavor fruit dishes and preserves and as potpourri. The dried leaves are still used in tea. The scent is similar to that of the bergamot orange, hence the flower's name.

How to Grow

• Bergamot thrives in moist soil with morning sun. It can tolerate a bit of shade. It is propagated by root cuttings. In zones 4-10, it is a perennial. Cutting off the flower heads after the first bloom will produce a second blooming during mid- to late summer.

Harvesting

• Before or just after flowering, the leaves can be harvested. Strip the leaves from the stem and place on a screen or tray in a dark, dry place for a few days. The leaves can then be stored in containers for future use.