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. 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.