Mimulus guttatus, or seep monkeyflower, is a native perennial/annual herb found in western North America that grows 1-3 feet tall and wide. It produces bright yellow flowers with red spots from March to August that attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. Seep monkeyflower prefers moist to wet soils in full sun to part shade and is well-suited for areas along ponds, streams or under bird baths where it requires damp soil and moderate fertilizer to thrive.

1. Seep (Common) Monkeyflower – Mimulus guttatus (MIM-yoo-luss guh-TAY-tus)
Family: Phrymaceae (Monkeyflower Family) – formerly Scrophulareaceae (Figwort Family)
Native to: Much of western U.S. from Canada to N. Mexico; moist to wet soils of springs, seeps, marshes,
meadows, and stream banks.
Growth characteristics: herb. perennial/annual mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft. Short
lived perennials, usually grown as annuals. Plant dies back entirely in summer. Leaves are bright green,
simple, oval and often toothed.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar-Aug. The bright yellow flowers start in the spring and last through the fall if
constant moisture is present. The flowers are typical of monkeyflowers – look like yellow snapdragons
with bright red spots. Very showy plant with adequate water.
Uses in the garden: Moist places in the garden are best. Useful along the edges of ponds or the fountains,
and under the birdbath. Use with Juncus spp. (rushes) and Carex spp. (sedges). Leaves can be eaten but
seeds are poisonous.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native snapdragons and other flowering plants of damp places.
Attracts: Excellent insect habitat, providing nectar for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies. Also larval food
for caterpillars. Also good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (with water) to part-shade
Soil Any texture, including heavy clays; any local pH
Water Needs damp soil to summer flowering; can even grow in pots in shallow water in
pools and ponds
Fertilizer Benefits from moderate fertilizer and/or organic mulch
Other
Management: Self-seeds and spreads by rhizomes (roots) so may become weedy in damp areas.
Probably benefits from a dry period in late summer/early fall. Remove unwanted seedlings.
Propagation: from seed: easy; best to sow in place in fall, but can start in pots.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 24 12/10/10
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2. Mimulus guttatus
Seep monkeyflower