There’s no flower quite like Spotted Bee Balm or Monarda punctata. This eye-catching native species blooms with whorls of yellow tubular flowers with purple spots, forming dense spikes surrounded by rosettes of downward curving pale purple bracts. With a wide native range, this adaptable wildflower thrives in hot, sunny, and sandy sites. This fragrant, easy to grow perennial wildflower is a must-have for pollinator-friendly gardens. It is the host plant for the larvae of both the Gray Marvel moth (Anterastria teratophora) and the Snout Moth (Pyrausta generosta). Care Plant in well-draining soil, partial shade to full sun (6+ hours of sun daily), and keep soil consistently moist. Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring, deadhead spent flowers, and trim back in late fall or early spring. Best grown in zones 3-9. Growth Habit In midsummer, Spotted Bee Balm gets 2-3 ft. height, blooms summer into fall, yellow flowers with purple spots, will naturalize by re-seeding. It is a thyme-scented plant with purple-spotted tubular yellow flowers. The plant contains thymol, an antiseptic and fungicide. It was historically used to treat upset stomachs, colds, diarrhea, neuralgia and kidney disease. Toxicity Not toxic to humans but may cause mild stomach upset in large quantities. Keep away from pets and children. Seek professional advice if accidentally ingested. Deer resistant.
