1 Live Plant Spotted Bee Balm Monarda punctata Pollinator Wildflower

Spotted Bee Balm, botanically known as Monarda punctata, is a native perennial wildflower prized for its unusual tiered blooms and aromatic foliage. Whorls of pale yellow, purple-spotted flowers sit atop stacked bracts that shift from green to soft lavender, creating a distinctive layered look that draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds through the summer months. Its upright, clumping habit makes it a natural fit for native plantings, pollinator gardens, meadow edges, and cottage borders where its texture and color stand out.
A versatile choice for informal and wildlife-friendly landscapes, Spotted Bee Balm pairs well with coneflowers, grasses, and other prairie companions. The fragrant, mint-scented leaves can be used fresh or dried in teas and culinary blends, and the long-lasting blooms work nicely in cut arrangements. It performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and tolerates heat and drier conditions once established, rewarding gardeners with dependable seasonal color and steady pollinator activity.
Species: Monarda punctata
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Plant_Habit: Upright, clumping
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy
Zones: 4-9
Germination: Not applicable
Spacing: 12-18 inches
Notes: Drought tolerant once established; deadhead to encourage continued bloom