Monarda fistulosa, commonly known as wild bergamot or bee balm, is a fragrant, clump-forming native perennial celebrated for its shaggy, lavender blooms and strong pollinator appeal. It typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall with a spread of about 1½ to 3 feet, forming upright colonies through slowly spreading underground rhizomes. The square stems support opposite, aromatic leaves that are lance-shaped to oval, measuring roughly 2 to 5 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide, often with a slightly toothed edge and a soft, gray-green cast. In early to mid-summer, the plant produces distinctive, tufted flower heads about 2 to 3 inches across, composed of many slender, tubular florets arranged in a rounded cluster, usually soft lavender to pinkish-purple, sometimes white. Each individual tubular flower is about 1 to 1½ inches long, projecting outward in a loose, firework-like display that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowering stems rise above the foliage, giving the plant a loose, meadow-style silhouette rather than a dense mound. Its fibrous, spreading root system allows clumps to gradually expand by several inches each year, sometimes forming patches 2 to 3 feet wide over time if conditions are favorable. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils but tolerates light shade and average garden moisture, and its airy height, fragrance, and soft texture make it a key species for naturalistic plantings and prairie-style gardens.