Lavender Dotted Mint

Quite distinctive and unusual, the bright lavender and yellow bracts of the gorgeous Dotted Mint (also known as Horsemint) appear to be flowers but are actually leaves surrounding the true flowers. This biennial aromatic plant is a great source of nectar for butterflies. Monarda punctata naturally occurs in dry soils or thin woods. This showy wildflower performs well in the garden and also provides for unusual cut flowers. Many butterflies and other pollinators visit Monarda punctata and it is a major nectar plant for the rare Karner Blue Butterfly!

Dotted Mint (Monarda punctata) is beautiful, undemanding and edible. Native to the Eastern portion of Canada and the United States, the plant's leaves and flowers can be used to make an aromatic tea or as a savoury herb. Dotted mint is drought tolerant and although it prefers sand and loam, it will tolerate clay. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the plant has a row of flowers, and below what appear to be flower petals are actually colourful leaves, which may be purple, pink, green, white or yellow. Dotted mint is a favourite food source of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly.