Spotted beebalm
Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctacta),
also known as Dotted horsemint, occurs
south to Lee and Palm Beach counties in
dry sandy soils that are often disturbed
sites, such as roadsides, but also in open
pine atwoods. It is moderately tolerant
of salt spray and can be found near the
Gulf of Mexico and along the Indian River
Lagoon.
It is a good cut ower for fresh or dry
arrangements. Native American tribes
used the plant to treat a wide variety of
ailments. A weak tea can be made from
the leaves.
Description
Monarda punctata is a perennial that
dies back to the ground in winter in North
Florida, but can retain some foliage
farther south. It is multi-stemmed, almost
bushy in form, with a 2- to 4-foot spread
and height of about 3 feet. It can grow
taller with irrigation and fertilizer. Its
bright green, lance-shaped leaves make
attractive foliage that is scented like
oregano or thyme.
The whorls of owers are creamy white
to yellow with purple spots, and are
underlain with even showier bracts
of lavender to cream. The whorls are
repeated several times on a single stem.
Because of its height and ability to spread
easily by seed, it should be used toward
the back of the landscape or in a place of
its own.
Planting
As a perennial, Spotted beebalm will
come back each year, and can be
divided to produce more plants in the
spring when there is new growth (plants
may be too woody for division in summer
or fall). It readily reseeds itself in the
garden.
Seeds
Seeds are commercially available,
or collect your own after owering is
complete and stems are drying The
seeds, or nutlets, are found in the calyx
at the base of the ower. Look for almostblack
seeds the size of poppy seeds as a
sign of maturity. To collect, cut and shake
stems into a container.
Plants
Four-inch to 1-gallon pots are available;
plants should be 3 to 4 feet apart.
Don’t crowd plants; allow for good air
circulation. Mulching may help to reduce
the number of unwanted seedlings.
Care
Spotted beebalm is quite drought
resistant, but during prolonged spring
droughts, it may need a little extra water.
In early summer, plants can be cut back
to reduce the height and still produce
blooms. Cutting back the bloom stalks
near the end of owering may also help
lengthen the bloom
period. Spent stems
are benecial to
insects and birds, but
can be cut back to
the emergent growth
if desired for tidiness.
Spotted beebalm contains a chemical
called thymol that helps to prevent fungal
and bacterial diseases, so it is relatively
trouble-free.
Site Conditions
Full sun will bring out the best owering,
but partial shade also works. Spotted
beebalm does best in sandy, well-drained
soils. Some moisture may be tolerated,
but when more nutrients or water are
available, the plant is likely to grow
taller and even fall over, requiring extra
trimming or staking. In wet conditions, it
can be susceptible to fungal attacks.
Hardiness zones
Spotted beebalm is best suited for zones
8–10a.
Beebalm is known as perhaps the
best Florida wildower for attracting
vast numbers of pollinators. From
summer through fall, the showy
blooms attract butteries and a
great variety of other insects not
generally seen in any other season,
including many native bee species.
Hummingbirds also use it.
3–4 ft
Nectar
This species grows
throughout the Eastern
CAUTION
U.S. and into Canada.
For best landscape
performance, be
cautious and purchase plants that are
Florida native ecotypes.
Photo by Valorie Catalano
Spotted beebalm
Photo by Peg Urban
Zebra swallowtail on Spotted beebalm
Photo by Peg Urban
Gulf fritillaries on Spotted beebalm