Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower)

A colorful southwestern United States and Baja California native, award-winning Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower) is a creeping, upright, evergreen perennial with toothed, downy, pale green leaves typically 4 in. long (10 cm), on erect sticky-hairy flowering stems. Brilliant red or orange-red, 2-lipped tubular flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), bloom nearly continuously from the leaf axils over a long season extending from spring to fall.

A colorful southwestern United States and Baja California native, award-winning Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower) is a creeping, upright, evergreen perennial with toothed, downy, pale green leaves typically 4 in. long (10 cm), on erect sticky-hairy flowering stems. Brilliant red or orange-red, 2-lipped tubular flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), bloom nearly continuously from the leaf axils over a long season extending from spring to fall. They are carried well above the leaves and attract hummingbirds. Scarlet Monkey Flower is the perfect plant for a boggy location in the garden.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
  • Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall and wide (30-90 cm). Will naturalize by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding where happy.
  • Best in part shade in rich, moist to wet soils. Tolerates full sun, but soils must not be allowed to dry out. Tolerates occasional flooding and standing water.
  • Great choice for water gardens, bog gardens, rain gardenswet prairies and meadows. Excellent edging plant for streams and ponds.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails, powdery mildew. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Should be deadheaded to promote flowering and prevent floppy growth. Cut back after flowering.
  • Propagate by seed sown in fall or early spring, or by division in spring.
  • Native from Oregon to California and Nevada, Baja California.

Requirements

Hardiness 7
– 10

Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Mimulus – Monkey Flowers
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 1'
– 3'
(30cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 3'
(30cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage