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Monarda punctata (Spotted Bee Balm)

Spotted Bee Balm, Dotted Bee Balm, Dotted Horsemint, Spotted Horsemint

Monarda punctata, Dotted Bee Balm, Dotted Horsemint, Spotted Horsemint, Yellow Monarda, Yellow Bee Balm, Yellow flowers, Purple Monarda, Purple Bee Balm, Purple flowers,
Rudbeckia Triloba, Brown-Eyed Susan, Native Black-Eyed Susan, Thin-Leaved Rudbeckia, Thin-Leaf Coneflower, Branched Coneflower, late summer perennial, golden flowers, yellow perennial

Noted for its pagoda-like flowers, Monarda punctata (Spotted Bee Balm) is a clump-forming, short-lived perennial or biennial, boasting showy clusters of creamy purple-spotted tubular flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm), resting upon pink, lavender or creamy bracts. Blooming for weeks from early to mid-summer, they attract scores of butterflies and pollinators to the garden. The foliage of deep green aromatic leaves may be used to flavor teas. Spotted Bee Balm is best suited to perennial borders, wild gardens, prairies, and meadows.

  • Grows in clumps up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 9-12 in. wide (22-30 cm). Spreads by runners to form large clumps without becoming aggressive.
  • Performs best in full sun or partial shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. Best in sandy soils with consistent moisture. Tolerates poor soils. Drought tolerant.
  • This showy perennial is a striking addition to prairies and meadows.
  • Monarda flowers attract streams of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, but this plant is deer and rabbit-resistant.
  • Providing good air circulation to combat powdery mildew is important.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
  • Native to the eastern U.S. and California.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Monarda
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 9" - 1'
(20cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Monarda media, Purple Bergamot, Purple Monarda, Purple Bee Balm, Lavender Monarda, Lavender Bee Balm, Lavender flowers
Monarda 'Blue Stocking', Bee Balm 'Blue Stocking', Bergamot 'Blue Stocking', Monarda 'Blaustrumpf', purple Bee Balm, purple flowers
Monarda didyma, Scarlet Beebalm, Oswego Tea, Red Bergamot, Bergamot, Bee Balm, Bee Balm Tea Plant, Fragrant Balm, Hare Mint, Indian Feathers, Indian Plume,
Monarda citriodora, Lemon Beebalm, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Horsemint, Horsemint, Purple Lemon Mint, Bergamot, Monarda dispersa, Monarda aristata, Monarda tenuiaristata, Purple Monarda, Purple Bee Balm, Purple flowers,
Monarda 'Raspberry Wine',Bee balm 'Raspberry Wine', Bergamot 'Raspberry Wine', Red Monarda, Red bee balm, Red flowers
Monarda bradburiana, Eastern Bee Balm, Eastern Beebalm, Pink Monarda, Pink Bee Balm, Pink flowers,
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Monarda
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 9" - 1'
(20cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Monarda
Guides with
Monarda
Not sure which Monarda to pick?
Compare Now

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