MIMULUS. In addition to the shrubby species, California has several showy perennial monkey flowers. They vary considerably in size and habit, though they share the features of paired, toothed leaves and colorful two-lipped flowers which resemble those of the snapdragons. The following are plants of streamsides and seeps, thriving with sun and regular watering. All should be hardy to 0^oF. or below.

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.

lewisii. This is a plant of higher elevations, resembling M. cardinalis in size, habit and foliage. However, the leaves have a distinctly greyer cast. The flowers are of similar size but spreading widely at the face. They are bright to pale pink overall, with white and sometimes darker pink markings in the centers. 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.