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Dotted Beebalm Monarda punctata

Phonetic Spelling
mo-NAR-da punk-TAH-tah
Description

Spotted beebalm is a native herbaceous perennial to the eastern U.S. and typically occurs in full sun areas with dry soil in prairies, sandy areas, rocky woodlands, and coastal plains. It is a clump-forming, mint family member that features branching or simple, square stems which rise typically to 1'-2' tall sometimes 3'-4'. 

Drought tolerant member of the Lamiaceae (mint-square stems) family. Makes excellent cut flowers. Remove spent flowers to improve plant appearance and possibly to prolong bloom. Spreads by runners to form large clumps, but is not considered to be too aggressive.

Host plant for the larvae of both the Gray marvel (Anterastria teratophora) and the Snout (Pyrausta generosa) moths.

Var. arkansana can be found in dry forests and over rocky areas. 

Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are susceptible to powdery mildew and rust, especially in crowded gardens, but it is usually in the late season after flowering. Prune stems to increase airflow.  In addition, if the soil is allowed to dry out, the stressed plants become increasingly susceptible to disease. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden, Durham Co.
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#fall flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennial#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#nectar plant early fall#bee friendly#Audubon#container plant#coastal plant#spotted leaves#dunes#herb garden#moth friendly#wildlife friendly#meadow#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#fall flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#native perennial#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#flowers late spring#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#nectar plant early fall#bee friendly#Audubon#container plant#coastal plant#spotted leaves#dunes#herb garden#moth friendly#wildlife friendly#meadow#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Monarda
    Species:
    punctata
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves can be used in teas
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern USA
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI Canada: ON
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. Ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies nectar from the blooms. Members of the genus Monarda support the following specialized bees: Dufourea monardae, Perdita (Perdita) gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis.  This is a host plant for the Gray Marvel Moth, Anterastria teratophora, and the Snout Moth, Pyrausta generosa, P. signatalis.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Ovoid nutlets that are produced in brown button-like cymes. Fruits are available September-October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Head
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Rosettes of yellowish, purple-spotted, tubular pubescent flowers occur in whorls, forming a dense, elongated spike at the end of the stem or from leaf axils. Each whorl is subtended by large, conspicuous, whitish, purple-tinged, leaf-like bracts. The stacked combination of colored bracts and speckled flowers is unique and showy. Flowers bloom July-September.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrowly lanceolate leaves with toothed to smooth edges and pointed tips. The foliage smells of Greek oregano.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Purplish green-brown square mint family stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Insect Pests
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil