White Bergamot (Monarda clinopodia) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,255 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from July to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph White Bergamot: observations by month (U.S.)
About White Bergamot
Monarda clinopodia, commonly known as white bergamot, basil bee balm or white bee balm, is a perennial wild flower in the mint family, Lamiaceae. This species is native to North America, ranging north from New York, west to Missouri, and south to Georgia and Alabama. M. clinopodia has also been introduced into Vermont and Massachusetts..From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
White Bergamot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 474 | July | Jul–Jul |
| North Carolina | 311 | July | Jul–Jul |
| West Virginia | 126 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Ohio | 89 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 77 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Maryland | 69 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Indiana | 50 | June | May–Jul |
| Kentucky | 26 | June | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 22 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Georgia | 6 | June | Jun–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph White Bergamot?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from July to July.
Where is White Bergamot most often seen?
The most observations come from Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia.