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 gardens, wet 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 |
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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 |