Bee Balm Monarda fruticulosa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bee Balm:
Previously known as:
- Monarda punctuate var fruitciculosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da froo-tih-koh-LOH-suh
- Description
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Spotted Beebalm is a shrubby herbaceous perennial that grows up to 2 feet tall on heavily branched stems and is native only to the southern tip of Texas. Native bees and bumblebees are attracted to the fragrant flowers.
It grows in sandy loam in full sun in arid conditions and may be difficult to find for sale. For best results, choose a monarda native to the east coast. See suggestions to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Monarda
- Species:
- fruticulosa
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Texas
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts native bees and bumblebees
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Fragrance
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Nutlets
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Short spikes with evenly spaced rounded flower heads that are pink and white with darker spots along the inside. Bracts are white with pink tinges. Individual flowers are 2-lipped.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are linear, opposite and sessile (stemless) to subsessile. The tips are acute, sometimes notched and bases are tapering. Length up to 1&1/3 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Heat
