Spotted Bee Balm/Horsemint - Monarda punctata

Very heat tolerant! Unusual, striking bee balm where the leaf bracts have most of the color - similar to lemon beebalm in this way. The actual flower portions are tan with brown spots. Attracts tons of pollinators, including pollinating wasps. Long bloom time.

Perennial; tends to start blooming second year. Grows 2-3’ high and at least as wide. Good native US medicinal with a nice, thymol fragrance. Grows in a range of conditions and soils, and can tolerate part shade and dry-ish soil.

Grown in the hot high desert SW, zone 8a, in marginally improved, very sandy clay using permaculture and organic, low-nitrogen methods.