Spotted Beebalm

Other names

Spotted Horsemint, Horsemint

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

VT to MN, S. to TX, NM & N. to KS, Through to E. Coast. Isolated in CA

Source of plant

North Creek Nurseries, Lazy S's Farm Nursery

Description

Monarda punctata, commonly called spotted beebalm, is native to the eastern U.S. and typically occurs in dryish soils on prairies, sandy areas and coastal plains. A clump-forming, mint family member that features branching or simple, square stems which rise typically to 1-2' tall. Yellow, two-lipped flowers which are spotted with purple appear in the upper leaf axils and stem ends in two or more tiered, but interrupted, stem-ringing clusters, each cluster being subtended by a whorl of showy, pinkish, leafy bracts. The toothed, aromatic, oblong leaves (to 3") may be used in teas. Long summer bloom period.

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

butterfly plant