Monarda punctata 'BeeBop' (Spotted Bee Balm)

‘BeeBop’ is a showy, early-flowering variety of Monarda punctata, also called spotted bee balm, an aromatic, upright perennial wildflower that typically grows to around 18” tall and wide. Growing best in drier soils in full sun to partial shade, Monarda punctata ‘BeeBop’ blooms from early to mid-summer, and is reportedly among the most fragrant spotted beebalm varieties to boot! Since spotted beebalm is in the mint family, Lamiaceae, it is clump forming and capable of spreading over time, although it does not spread as aggressively as a true mint.

Incredibly popular with a variety of different pollinators, the flowers of spotted beebalm are relatively small, but form showy compound structures with showy, cotton-candy pink bracts. These eye-catching bracts are easily visible for pollinators and to gardeners, and alongside the plants’ pollinator appeal and fragrance, all these features make them an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, herb gardens, low-growing beds, and even container planting.