Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata (Zones 3–9), features unique tiered blooms with spotted cream flowers and striking neon-pink bracts. This species is a top-tier Pollinator Magnet in the Southeast, attracting the Great Black Wasp (a beneficial, non-aggressive katydid hunter) and endangered specialist bees. As a Specialist Host, it supports the Gray Marvel moth and provides high-potency nectar during the mid-summer gap. It offers a distinct, architectural look that provides a designed aesthetic while remaining incredibly rugged in the landscape.

Performance & Site Care

This species is a supreme Drought Resistant specialist that prefers full sun and well-drained spots. It is a fantastic Living Border plant for sunny walkways where its aromatic foliage can be brushed against. While it can be a short-lived perennial, it is a behaved self-seeder; leaving the seed heads through winter provides Bird Food and ensures the colony continues the following year in a managed way.