If you are looking for something just a little bit different for your hardy borders or a corner with part shade, the spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata), will interest you.
Spotted Beebalm Features
This dainty, pastel plant has rather prim but changeable foliage. It begins the season as a dull green.
Then, when the square stem thinks of putting forth blossoms, each slim leaf near the top turns bright chartreuse. When buds form in the axils, part of the green has turned white.
Each tawny, little open blossom is spotted like a leopard.
While individual blossoms would attract little attention, a dozen or two in each whorl, climbing up the stem in bands of two, four, or perhaps eight, are quite an interesting sight, even without the leaf banners, which, by this time, have taken on tints of apple-blossom pink.
Punctata Lasts a Long Time in The Garden
The aroma is not as pungent as that of many of the other species, and it lasts equally well as a cut flower.
A flower arrangement with spikes of this material, along with some heavier flowers, always makes an attractive display.
Planting Beebalm
While few nurserymen carry the plants, a small packet of seeds will plant a nice bed. The soil should be well worked and raked before planting, as the seeds are tiny.
They should be pressed into the soil with a heavy board rather than buried.
A cover of heavy paper or burlap will help maintain the surface moisture until they begin to sprout; then, it should be removed.
This beebalm is not a rampant grower. It increases by little root solons, and while it will self-sow to some extent, it does not become a nuisance.
Any unwanted plants are eagerly received by other plant lovers.
44659 by Mrs. Ann Tegtmeier