1) Parish's monkeyflower is a small annual wildflower native to the Sierra Nevada and southwestern California regions that grows up to 1 foot tall and wide. 2) It blooms from May to August with small pale pink or lavender flowers with a yellow throat that are attractive to hummingbirds. 3) It is well-suited for growing around ponds, streams, water features, or anywhere that stays moist in the summer and can be used as a substitute for non-native annuals in the garden.

1. * Parish’s Monkeyflower – Mimulus parishii
(MIM-yoo-lus pare-ISH-ee-eye )
Family: Phrymaceae (Lopseed Family) ; formerly in Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Native to: s Sierra Nevada, Southwestern California (and adjacent w desert & desert mtns incl. the
desert side of the San Gabriels) to N. Baja; in stream sides in Pinyon-juniper woodland < 7000 feet.
annual wildflower
mature height: 1 ft.
mature width: 1 ft.
Uncommon small annual Monkeyflower with light green to yellow-green foliage. Leaves are lanceshaped, hairy, with prominent veins. Plant upright with stout branching stem.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms primarily in summer (May-Aug) in nature – may be somewhat earlier in
home gardens. Flowers small (< ½ inch), pale pink or lavender with yellow throat. Flowers held on
dainty stems. While small, the flowers are very pretty & charming.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Best used around a pond or stream side (including garden streams). Also does
well in other water features: bog gardens, around splashing fountains, etc. Can be grown in
containers with its natural companions like Miner’s Lettuce & Spectacle Pod. Would do well in any
place that stays moist in summer, including lawn edges & in the vegetable garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native annuals.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Attracts hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade
Most soils; well-drained preferable. Any local pH.
Zone 2-3 to 3 until it has flowered – then can taper off water.
Fine with even regular fertilizer.
Fine with high organic/humus levels in soil.
Plant in place or in pots in winter/early spring.
Let plants reseed in place of remove seed capsules.
Management:
Taper off water in late summer/fall.
Propagation: from seed: purchased seed may require cold-moist treatment.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 5, 8, 10-13, 16, 19, 21, 24
2/29/11
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