Monarda punctata

Spotted beebalm, also called horsemint, is native to Eastern North America. Pollinators go after this one like crazy, especially beneficial wasps! The purple-spotted flowers grow in whorls around the stem and the bracts are tinged pink. We love getting up close to this beebalm to admire the details.

Monarda punctata is incredibly high in thymol (the most of all the mints) and has been used medicinally in the past. Thymol is a fascinating chemical worth reading up on if you have the time.