MIMULUS. Nearly worldwide, subtropics and temperate regions. Monkey flower. A large group of annuals, perennials and small shrubs of the snapdragon family, many of them native to the West. It is difficult to generalize regarding their features, though most are identified by paired leaves and similarly paired, brightly colored blossoms resembling open-faced snapdragons. The perennial species are divided, botanically and culturally, into two groups, described below.
aurantiacus (Diplacus of older texts, more recently a half dozen separate shrubby species under Mimulus). Bush monkey flower. One of the more unsettling changes in the world of native plant taxonomy has been the gathering of several distinct shrubby monkey flowers into one. The change has now been accepted long enough that it seems wise to accept it and get on with life. This species spans much of the length of California and extends from the coast and offshore islands to the Sierra foothills. The plants are generally bushy and more or less erect, growing 1-3’ (sometimes more) tall. Their leaves vary from broad to quite narrow in outline, and are usually deeply veined. From late spring to fall they carry large, colorful flowers in pairs along the stems. For the heaviest bloom, the plants should be cut back two or three times each season. Sun, well drained soil, moderate to occasional watering when established. Their hardiness varies considerably. I will describe them according to their former species, now simply regional forms.
former bifidus. Mock-azalea. One of the most attractive in both foliage and flower. It has narrow, dark green to greyish green leaves and blossoms up to 2½" long and 2" broad, the spreading face often ruffled. They range in color from orange to cream white. We seem to have lost a couple of earlier selections, but their place has been taken by ‘Junipero Serra’, from the mountain of that name. This is a spreading, bushy shrublet producing quantities of bright orange flowers with white markings. An unnamed selection by Suzanne Schettler has cream-yellow flowers. 15oF. or less.
‘Pumpkin’. This is a particularly attractive hybrid, growing up to 2’ high. It is well branched, with dark, shiny leaves. The flowers are large, deep orange overall with redder shading.
former puniceus. A southern California form, erect in habit, with narrow dark green leaves and scarlet to blood red flowers. We have grown several similar selections over time. Around 20oF.
cardinalis. Scarlet monkey flower. A streamside native, making dense clumps. The stems grow 1’ to as much as 3’ tall. Both these and the toothed oval 2-3" leaves are light green in color. Throughout the warmer months clusters of scarlet 2" blossoms, with lobes swept back along the sides giving them a somewhat pinched shape, are borne at the shoot tips. Shear them back occasionally to remove old dead flower stalks and renew the show. Winter deciduous.
primuloides ssp. linearifolius. A matting native with bright green, very narrow leaves and small, bright yellow blossoms, presented on wiry 3-6" stems in late spring and summer. Well suited for the rock garden.
tilingii. Another matting native for rock garden use. It has broader leaves than the last, distinctly toothed and pressed to the ground. From June to August it displays cheery yellow flowers, proportionately quite large for the plant.