Spotted Beebalm

Monarda punctata Origin: Eastern North America Improvement status: Cultivated wild material Seeds per packet: ~230 BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED Life cycle: Annual or Perennial Also known as horsemint, this sometimes perennial (but often re-seeding annual) is a beautiful native herb with a variety of culinary and medicinal uses. Its very distinctive pink and yellow flowers resemble a crown. This is a beautiful plant that will be a welcome addition to any ornamental planting, perennial bed, or herb garden. It's also great for interplanting with larger perennials like fruit trees or berries (it can be established as a permanent competitor to perennial weeds like mugwort). Medicinally, it has a history of use for stomach ailments, kidney disease, neuralgia, colds, diarrhea, pain, and inflamattion. The plant contains thymol, a well-known (and flavorful) fungicide and antiseptic. GROWING TIPS: Surface sow in spring. Starting in pots is probably preferable due to small seed