MONARDA PUNCTATA / SPOTTED BEE BALM

MONARDA PUNCTATA / SPOTTED BEE BALM

A Native Perennial with Unique Layered Blooms and Aromatic Foliage

Monarda punctata, commonly known as Spotted Bee Balm, is a distinctive native perennial admired for its stacked whorls of pale yellow flowers dotted with purple spots and showy pink to lavender bracts. Blooming in mid to late summer, it thrives in full sun with dry to well-drained soils. This drought-tolerant plant adds architectural interest, fragrance, and outstanding pollinator value to prairies, meadows, and sunny gardens.

Why Choose Spotted Bee Balm?

Pollinator Powerhouse: Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Unique Appearance: Layered flowers and colorful bracts create striking visual interest.
Aromatic & Deer Resistant: Strongly scented foliage helps deter browsing.
Drought Tolerant: Performs well in dry, sandy, and poor soils.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Gray-green, aromatic leaves.
Flower Color: Pale yellow flowers with purple spots; pink to lavender bracts.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 1–3 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained to dry soils; thrives in sandy or rocky sites.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 1–3 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming perennial.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9.
Flowering: Mid to late summer.
Fragrance: Strongly aromatic foliage.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator Gardens: Excellent nectar source for native bees and butterflies.
Prairie & Meadow Plantings: Adds structure and native diversity.
Dry & Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Ideal for sandy soils and drought-prone areas.
Borders & Naturalized Areas: Provides unique texture and long-lasting interest.

Spotted Bee Balm is a standout native perennial with exceptional ecological value. Its unusual flowers, aromatic foliage, and drought tolerance make it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, prairies, and sunny, low-maintenance landscapes.