Spotted bee balm or spotted horsemint (Monarda punctata) is the equivalent of a juice bar at the gym for nectar loving/needing insects! It does best in dry to average, well-drained soils in full sun to part shaded and tolerates somewhat poor or sandy soils and some drought. It produces an aromatic stand that ranges in heights from 6" to just shy of 3' tall. It forms saffron-colored rosettes in whorls along the top half of the stem. The soft pinkish-dawn petals hold at the end of the flower spike for weeks upon weeks. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract honeybees, bumblebees, and other native bees. Butterflies and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also visit the flowers of Spotted Bee Balm for nectar and moth caterpillars feed on its foliage and stems.

The foliage is repugnant to deer and rabbits.

Coming at the end of June.