Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mo-NAR-da punk-TAH-tah
- Description
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Spotted beebalm is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to the eastern United States, from New Jersey to southern Florida and west to Texas. Several varieties are recognized, but only var. punctata occurs in NC. Generally found in prairies, sandy areas, rocky woodlands and coastal plains. The specific epithet is Latin for “spotted” and references the violet speckles that dot the corolla.
Spotted beebalm typically occurs in full sun to part shade areas. It prefers moist soil but will tolerate occasionally dry sites. It is a drought-tolerant but short-lived plant.
Spotted beebalm is a clump-forming plant that typically grows 1.5 to 2 feet tall. It spreads by rhizomes to form large clumps, but is not considered to be too aggressive. Spotted beebalm is in bloom from summer to fall and makes excellent cut flowers. Remove spent flowers to improve plant appearance and possibly to prolong bloom. This species is very attractive to butterflies, wasps, hummingbirds and bees. It is the host plant for the larvae of both the gray marvel (Anterastria teratophora) and the snout (Pyrausta generosa) moths.
Use spotted beebalm in borders and mass plantings in pollinator, butterfly, rain, cottage or night gardens.
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, drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to disease than plants growing with ample water.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Durham County Extension Master Gardener℠ Demonstration Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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 and P. signatalis.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is tolerant of damage by drought and deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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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
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid nutlets are produced in brown button-like cymes. Fruits are available in September and October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- 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 white to pale yellow, 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 from July to September.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain 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
