Lemon Beebalm (Monarda citriodora) is in the Mint Family family (Lamiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,067 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Lemon Beebalm: observations by month (U.S.)
About Lemon Beebalm
Monarda citriodora is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native much of the United States and Mexico. Common names include lemon beebalm, lemon mint (this may also apply to Mentha citrata or Melissa officinalis) and purple horsemint. When crushed, the leaves emit an odor reminiscent of lemons. This odor is sometimes described as more resembling oregano, especially late in the season. Its purple flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Lemon Beebalm by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 963 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 28 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Mississippi | 12 | June | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 9 | June | May–Jun |
| Alabama | 8 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arizona | 8 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Ohio | 8 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Louisiana | 6 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Tennessee | 6 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Mint Family)
Red Deadnettle
Common Selfheal
Ground-Ivy
Henbit Deadnettle
Wild Bergamot
Lyreleaf Sage
Chia
American germander
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Lemon Beebalm?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Lemon Beebalm most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi.