Mimulus lewisii (Purple Monkey Flower)
Native to western North America, award-winning Mimulus lewisii (Purple Monkey Flower) is an upright herbaceous perennial with broadly lance-shaped, coarsely toothed, gray-green leaves without petioles, 1-3 in. long (2-7 cm). They provide an excellent foil for the snapdragon-like, brilliant pink to reddish-purple flowers, marked with maroon blotches in the throat. Blooming from early summer to early fall, the 2-lipped tubular flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), are borne solitary in the leaf axils. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Native to western North America, award-winning Mimulus lewisii (Purple Monkey Flower) is an upright herbaceous perennial with broadly lance-shaped, coarsely toothed, gray-green leaves without petioles, 1-3 in. long (2-7 cm). They provide an excellent foil for the snapdragon-like, brilliant pink to reddish-purple flowers, marked with maroon blotches in the throat. Blooming from early summer to early fall, the 2-lipped tubular flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm), are borne solitary in the leaf axils. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Purple Monkey Flower is among the most handsome of mountain wildflowers. It is perfect for a wet area of the garden and along ponds and streams.
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its noteworthy qualities.
- Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
- Best in full sun or light shade in fertile, humus-rich, very moist soil.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
- Cut back after flowering.
- Propagate by seed sown in spring or by root division.
- Native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 5 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 5 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Mimulus – Monkey Flowers |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
| Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
| Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
| Spacing | 18″ (45cm) |
| Water Needs | High |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Alaska, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada |
| Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |