Southern Bush Monkeyflower is a perennial sub-shrub native to southwestern California. It grows 1-3 feet tall and wide, with light green, lance-shaped leaves. In spring, it produces light yellow flowers that resemble Diplacus aurantiacus but with longer tubes. It is drought and cold tolerant, making it suitable as an accent plant under trees or in containers. Hummingbirds are attracted to its nectar. It requires dappled sun or afternoon shade, occasional summer water, and organic mulch.

1. * Southern Bush Monkeyflower – Diplacus longiflorus (DIP-luh-cus lon-gee-FLOR-us)
Family: Phrymaceae (Lopseed Family) ; formerly in Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Native to: Endemic to southwestern CA. Locally in foothills of San Gabriel & Verdugo Mtns, Chino Hills,
Orange Co.; on dry, coast and intermountain slopes, washes to 5000 ft., often under oaks.
Growth characteristics: perennial sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft. Many-
branched sub-shrub (herbaceous with woody lower stems). Leaves light/medium green, lance-shaped
and sticky in hot weather. Quick-growing; lives 10-25+ years in wild (or summer drought conditions in
gardens). Quite tough – more drought and cold-tolerant than other species.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in spring – commonly Mar-July in western L.A. county. Flowers usually a light
butter yellow, but may be buff to almost white (even in same garden). Look like Diplacus aurantiacus but
with longer corolla (tube) and more incised flower petals. Very showy in bloom! May bloom again it
plant is deadheaded (old blooms removed) but this will shorten lifespan of plant.
Uses in the garden: Best use is as an accent plant in dappled shade under trees. Provides bright color
(yellow) in spring. Nice choice for large containers. Use with it’s natural associate species: Ribes,
Sambuccus, grasses. Good size for mid-bed with other perennials. Fine groundcover under trees and on
slopes. Tea from leaves/flowers used for stomach-ache by Native Californians.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Monkeyflowers.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Hummingbirds like nectar.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Dappled sun or afternoon shade best
Soil Most local soils, including clays; most local pH
Water Occasional summer water (Zone 1-2 or 2); wash down dusty leaves in hot periods
Fertilizer None needed except in containers (1/2 strength)
Other Organic mulch recommended
Management: Pinch (tip-prune) new growth for full, rounded shape. Prune back by about ½ in fall,
being sure not to cut back into old, woody part of stems. Prune out dead stems in spring.
Propagation: from seed: in spring – barely cover by cuttings: semi-soft and tip cuttings
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 10-14, 17, 20, 21, 23-28 12/19/14
© Project SOUND

2. Diplacus longiflorus Southern bush monkeyflower