Mimulus guttatus (Yellow Monkey Flower)

Mimulus guttatus (Yellow Monkey Flower) is an annual or short-lived, spreading, mat-forming perennial boasting bright yellow, snapdragon-shaped flowers spotted with red on the lower lobes. Borne in succession from early spring to late summer, the showy blossoms are borne on leafy stalks in the upper leaf axils. They are pollinated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They contrast nicely against the foliage of soft, light-green, broadly rounded, and toothed leaves. Yellow Monkey Flower is a perennial in warm zones and a half-hardy annual in colder places. Yellow Monkey Flower spreads vigorously by seed and rhizomes. Putting on a show in wet, sunny places in the wild garden, this water-loving perennial is perfect as a ground cover for small, moist situations and is an excellent pond plant.

• Grows up to 24 in. tall and wide (60 cm).
• Best in full sun or light shade in fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soils. Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.
• Great candidate for beds and borders, cottage gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, along ponds and streams. Good ground cover for small, moist areas.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails or powdery mildews. Deer resistant.
• Deadhead for a clean appearance, to promote flowering, or to prevent undesired self-seeding.
• Propagate by seed or by division. Divide dormant rootstocks in fall or winter or when growth begins in spring. Can also be increased by cuttings.
• Native to North America.