Monarda Spotted Be Balm

A hard to find, garden worthy plants with fascinating flowers. Reminiscent of Fritillaria imperialis, the flowers are crowned and layered. Their colour is breathtaking and the intricacy of their detail is completely fascinating. The hooded, yellow to pink flowers have plenty of maroon dots and sit between the lilac pink and green bracts. They evolved for pollinators but gardeners flock to them just as readily. Opening from mid summer into autumn for around six weeks, they are bound to cause a stir.

Monarda punctata is commonly known as Spotted Bee Balm, Dotted Bee Balm and Dotted Horsemint. It is dry tolerant, easy care and tolerant of poor soils, especially sandy soils.

The leaves are soft green and have a delicious mint fragrance and are used in teas and for some medicinal purposes. These leaves can yellow after flowering and can then be cut to the ground for next season.

Even after the petals have fallen, the seed heads can remain a feature into winter. The upright structure of Monarda plants is handsome in combination with ornamental grasses, or for use in a cottage bed.

This species has good mildew resistance but care should be taken to ensure good air flow for the plants. For best results, grow Monarda in moist, humus rich soils in a sunny position. Keep it moist in active growth and dead head flowers regularly to extend the bloom season. Mulch in summer to help with water retention. They will gradually spread through underground rhizomes. Removing spent flowers can prolong the season.