Guide And Practice

Monkey Flower

Mimulus
A genus of perennials that are part of the larger Scrophulariaceae family.
All parts of the plant are edible but are bitter unless cooked.
Propagation is either from seed or division.

* photo of unknown internet source


Mimulus aurantiacus ( Bush Monkey Flower )
An upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to the western U.S. from southern Oregon south through most of California.
The sticky, narrow leaves, up to 3 x 0.3 inches in size, are deep green.
This is a host plant of the Checkerspot Butterfly.
The flowers, up to 0.8 inches, are orangish-yellow ( though sometimes red ). They are borne mid-summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 in full sun on moist or dry soil. It is more drought tolerant than most species.

* photo of unknown internet source


Mimulus cardinalis
A vigorous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 feet x 27 inches, that is native to the southwestern U.S..
The sticky, toothed leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are downy green.
The scarlet-red, narrow-tubular flowers, up to 2 inches in length, are borne during summer. The flowers have very prominent stamens. They are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 in full sun to partial shade. It is more tolerant of dry conditions than other species.

Mimulus glutinosus ( Bush Monkey Flower )
A shrubby, evergreen perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to the western U.S. from Oregon to California.
The sticky, narrow leaves are mid-green.
The deep yellow to orange and red, trumpet-shaped flowers, up to 2 inches across, are borne during summer. The flower petals are notched.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun. It is more tolerant of dry conditions than other species.

Mimulus guttatus ( Common Monkey Flower )
A rhizomatous, sprawling to upright perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 + feet, that is native to North America.
The leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are green.
The yellow ( with red spotted throat ), tubular flowers, up to 2.4 inches in length, are borne on racemes.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun on moist soil to shallow fresh water.
Propagation is from seed or division, stems may also root where they touch the soil.

Mimulus x hybrida
The hybrids, mostly between Mimulus guttatus & M. luteus.
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 3 feet.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in full sun on moist to wet soil. Propagation is from division.

Firedragon
Orange-red flowers with darker speckling.

Harlequin
Multicolored flowers with blooms ranging from yellow to red.

Malibu Red
Rich red, larger flowers.

Puck
Yellow flowers.

Rotor Kaiser
Larger, rich red, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Mimulus lewisii ( (Lewis Monkeyflower )
A floppy perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 3 feet, that is native to western North America ( from Alaska to California, east to Colorado ).
The sticky, toothed, ovate to elliptical leaves, up to 2.8 inches in length, are grayish-green and hairy.
The rose-red ( rarely white ) flowers, up to 2 inches in length, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on moist soil.
It does not enjoy temperatures above 85 F eliminating its use in most lowland parts of the eastern U.S. Root rot can be a problem during summer.
Propagation is from division.

Mimulus luteus ( Yellow Musk Flower )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 16 x 32 inches, that is native to Chile.
The leaves are up to 1.3 inches in length.
The yellow flowers, up to 2 inches in length, have large reddish-purple blotches. They are borne late spring to late summer.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 in full sun on moist soil or shallow water. Propagation is from division.

Mimulus Puck
A dwarf, spreading, mounded perennial, reaching up to 6 inches x 1 foot. The bicolor bright golden-yellow and orange flowers are borne early spring to early autumn.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on consistently moist, fertile soil.

Mimulus ringens ( Allegheny Monkey Flower )
A perennial, reaching up to 4 x 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to North America ( from North Dakota and Manitoba to Nova Scotia; south to Colorado, Texas and Virginia ).
The narrow leaves, up to 4 inches in length, are green.
The violet-blue to purple ( with yellow splashes ), tubular flowers, up to 1.2 inches in length, are borne all summer long.
The stems are winged.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 in partial shade on moist soil to shallow water up to 6 inches in depth. Propagation is from division.