Mimulus lewisii (Purple Monkey Flower)
Purple Monkey Flower, Great Purple Monkey Flower, Lewis Monkey Flower, Lewis's Monkey Flower, Erythranthe lewisii
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.
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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 |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Robert Mutch (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 | 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 |
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