Spotted Bee Balm / Monarda punctata
One of the most spectacular plant species in all of North America, Spotted Bee Balm uses pigment in specialized leaves - called bracts in botany - to aid in attracting pollinators, resulting in a dazzling tower of flowers and pink leaves. When bumble bees nectar on it, they look like tiny pilots hooked into an alien craft. When you see it in person, these plants look more like rain forest denizens than a species at home in temperate climes.
Seed Planting/Germination Key
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, dark place prior to planting.
Rule of thumb for depth of planting: The maximum depth should generally be half the width of the seed, but many wildflower seeds will germinate well if sown on the surface.
Easy: Generally germinates within 5 to 30 days with no need for cold pretreatment. Keep potting mix or soil consistently moist during the germination period.
Cold(30): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 30 days or outside in late winter.
Cold(60): Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 60 days or outside in mid-winter.
Cold(90); Outdoors: Germination rates are higher if cold pretreatment applied either by placing the seed within moist paper towel or sand within a refrigerator for 90 days or outside in late fall or early winter. The best route is to plant these outdoors in either a pot or directly on the soil.
Approximate Seeds Per Packet: 50
Germination: Easy
Lifecycle: Tender Perennial
Sunlight: Full
Soil Moisture: Medium, Dry
Height: 2
Bloom Period: August-September
Bloom Color: Purple
USDA Zones: 3-9
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Larval Host For: Raspberry Pyrausta Butterfly