The Tricolor monkeyflower is a tiny annual wildflower native to Oregon and northern California that typically grows less than one foot tall. It has opposite, lance-shaped leaves that are slightly hairy and clammy to the touch. The striking pink flowers with a white and yellow blotched throat and maroon spot bloom from March to May. It prefers moist soil in full sun or light shade and is suitable for areas around ponds, in rain gardens, or anywhere Mimulus guttatus grows well. Propagation from seed is easy with no pretreatment required.

1. *Tricolor monkeyflower – Mimulus tricolor (MIM-you-lus TRY-color)
Family: Phrymaceae (Monkeyflower Family)
Native to: OR and northern CA; edges of vernal pools in Coastal Ranges and Great Central Valley.
Growth characteristics: annual wildflower mature height: < 1 ft. mature width: < 1
Tiny (usually 4-6 inches tall) annual wildflower. Leaves opposite, lance-shaped and slightly hairy.
Foliage usually in tufts, clammy to touch.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – Mar-May. Flowers are striking – with typical monkeyflower
shape. The wide mouth is deep pink in color with a white and yellow blotched throat and a large
maroon spot at the base of each lobe. One of the prettiest CA native monkeyflowers.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used in moist settings- around a pond/pool or in a rain garden or swale.
Would make a lovely container plant or in a bog container. Consider for winter damp areas of the
garden, around bird drinkers, areas that get overspray, anywhere that Mimulus guttatus does well.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native monkeyflowers.
Attracts: Good insect pollinator habitat.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun best; light shade probably ok.
Soil Most; in nature, sandy soils; any local pH.
Water Needs moist conditions in winter/spring until flowering ceases; then decrease water
for good seed production.
Fertilizer Not needed.
Other Gravel mulch should work well. No bark/ship mulch.
Management: Easy if plenty of winter rain – other-wise irrigate. Collect seed or let plants self-
seed. Will likely self-seed if happy.
Propagation: from seed: likely easy with no pretreatment required.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 48 4/27/14
© Project SOUND
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native