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 )
A fast growing, upright, woody-based 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, narrowly-oblong 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 2 inches wide, are orangish-yellow ( though sometimes red ). They are borne mid-summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on moist or dry, humus-rich, well drained soil. It is more drought tolerant than most species. Typically resistant to deer and rabbits. Cut back hard during winter.

* photo of unknown internet source


var 'bifidus'
Flowers are yellow to peach.

var 'longiflorus'
The flowers are creamy-yellow to orange-yellow.

Mimulus cardinalis ( Scarlet Monkey-Flower )
A vigorous perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 4 feet, that is native to the southwestern U.S. ( southern Washington State to southern California; also Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico ).
The sticky, toothed, ovate leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are downy bright green. It can be evergreen in mild climates.
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 on moist to wet, fertile soil. It is more tolerant of dry conditions than other species.

* historic archive photo

Mimulus clevelandii

* historic archive photo

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 ( from Nome, Alaska to Fairbanks, Alaska to southwest Northwest Territories to Prince George, British Columbia to Cypress Hills, Sask.; south to southern California to New Mexico ). It is endangered in Saskatchewan.
The toothed, oval leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are deep green.
The bright 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.

'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 Juneau, Alaska to Prince George, British Columbia to Banff National Park, Alberta; south to central California to northern 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 or wet 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.

* historic archive photo

Mimulus luteus ( Yellow Musk Flower )
A fast growing to invasive perennial, reaching a maximum size of 16 x 32 inches, that is native to Chile though now also found wild in Scotland.
The oblong leaves, up to 1.3 inches in length, are mid-green.
The deep 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 ( reports of 7 ) in full sun to partial shade on moist, fertile 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 puniceus ( Red Monkey Flower )
Also called Diplacus puniceus. A fast growing, semi-woody, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, that is native to coastal California from Los Angeles and south.
The flowers are intense red. They are hummingbird magnets.
The stems are dark.
Hardy zones 9 to 10 ( does not survive much below 20 F ) in full sun on very well drained soil. Red Monkey flower requires an average yearly rainfall of 12 + inches. It is tolerant of pure sand. Cut back hard after flowering. Pinch during the growing season to encourage dense habit.

Mimulus ringens ( Allegheny Monkey Flower )
A moderate growing, rhizomatous perennial, reaching up to 4 x 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, that is native to swamps and wet woods in North America ( from Alberta to central Saskatchewan to Manitoba to Dryden, Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario to Sault Ste Marie to Tobermory, Ontario to Haliburton, Ontario to Nova Scotia; south to Colorado to Oklahoma to central Alabama to central North Carolina ). It was abundant on the Lake Erie islands but rare in the remaining Ohio shore and Windsor/Essex County, Ontario regions. It is critically endangered in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Idaho, Montana and Arkansas. Extinct in Wyoming.
The narrowly-oblong leaves, up to 4 x 0.8 inches in size, are bright green. The leaves are oppositely-arranged.
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 ( likely 2 for Saskatchewan seed source ) in partial shade on moist soil to shallow water up to 6 inches in depth. Propagation is from division.

* photos taken on Sep 16 2016 @ Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD