Wild bergamot for birds in Ohio
Summer nectar and fall seed. Native to Ohio, where it feeds or shelters 50 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Ohio
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Ohio birds supported
- 50
- Nesting birds among them
- 39
Growing conditions in Ohio
Humid continental; cold winters and warm summers, with Lake Erie moderating the north coast.
Warm, humid summers; western Lake Erie marshes are a major migration stopover.
Ohio birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (11)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll
Snow and sub-freezing stretches are routine; Carolina Chickadees hold the south and Black-capped the north.
Nesting season it supports in Ohio
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Wild bergamot:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — May–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Ohio
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to Ohio?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Ohio. Ohio spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Ohio?
In Ohio, Wild bergamot supports 50 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Ohio?
39 of those birds nest in Ohio: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Ohio?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll use it in Ohio during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Ohio
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.