Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower)
Scarlet Monkey Flower, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Cardinal Monkey Flower, Crimson Monkeyflower, Diplacus cardinalis, Erythranthe cardinalis, Mimulus cardinalis var. exsul, Mimulus cardinalis var. griseus, Mimulus cardinalis var. rigens, Mimulus cardinalis var. verbenaceus, Mimulus verbenaceus
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.
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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 |
Grand Canyon National Park, Amy Washuta (Flickr), Nikki Yancey (Shutterstock)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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 |