Spotted Beebalm

Member of Mint Family
Blooms: April - August

I started this patch in my garden from seeds last fall.

There are several types of Beebalms, this is the most unusual of them all. Click for a closer look at it's unusual design. Bees , butterflies and many other insects love the nectar of these plants.

Spotted Beebalm can grow up to 4 ft. tall and in large stands. They have a very unpleasant odor, it comes from an antiseptic drug "thymol". Livestock or wildlife will not graze on these plants because of their aroma. They are very drought tolerant and require full sun. Most plants only live 1-2 years.

It is said that Native Americans crushed the dried seeds and leaves and rubbed it on their bodies to keep away insects. As do all the Beebalms, it has several medicinal purposes.

It's genus honors a Spanish physician and botanist who studied plants in North America. His name was Nicolas Monardes (1493-1588).