Guide And Practice

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.

I love the idea of creating garden beds based on floral designs that Ive seen, especially the large scale ones that Ive seen in nicer hotels.  No photos of such available at present, but I love the design from this floral designers blog.  Pretty inspiring.  Marks Garden Blog is another good one too.