Scarlet Monkeyflower is a native California perennial herb that grows 1-3 feet tall and wide. It has bright red tubular flowers that bloom from April to October and attract hummingbirds. Scarlet Monkeyflower prefers partial shade and moist soil, tolerating seasonal flooding. It spreads vigorously via rhizomes and reseeding, making it a good choice for brightening flower beds, edging walks, and re-vegetating wet areas.

1. Scarlet Monkeyflower – Mimulus cardinalis (MIM-yoo-luss kar-din-AL-iss)
Family: Phrymaceae / Scrophulariaceae (Mimulus family)
Native to: Much of California; partially shaded stream banks and seeps in local foothills and
mountains from coastal sage scrub to montane coniferous forest .
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Freely-branched, erect to spreading perennial from a rhizome, with sharp-toothed, sticky leaves.
Plant is completely dormant in fall/winter. Moderately fast-growth. Lives 3-10 years (usually 5).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Apr.-Oct. Blooms are showy, tubular scarlet flowers, sometimes with
yellow markings. Flowers resemble large snapdragon flowers. Hummingbird pollinated.
Uses in the garden: Bright spots in summer flower beds. Good as an edging along walks. Does
great around ponds or other wet places (for example, under a birdbath, near lawns, etc.). Good for
re-vegetation because of it’s sprawling growth and tendency to re-seed vigorously. Horticultural
cultivars include: ‘Red Dragon’, 'Santa Cruz Island Gold’ and ‘Yellow’.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native summer-blooming perennials; snapdragons.
Attracts: Excellent hummingbird habitat. Common Checkerspot and Buckeye butterfly caterpillars
feed on the foliage.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Best in partial shade; will take anything from full sun to almost full shade
Soil Any texture; wide pH range (4-9) so fine for both acid & alkali soils
Water Likes moist soil, tolerates some seasonal flooding. Even OK in ponds (plant in
containers; pot can be covered by several inches of water)
Fertilizer Medium; can supply with low doses or regular or organic fertilizer, humus
Other
Management: Spreads by rhizomes and seed; can form large colonies in wet areas. Severely
prune after flowering to prevent weedy appearance. Pruning promotes new growth and a heavy
second flowering.
Propagation: from seed: easy, in prepared beds or pots by divisions, layering: easy in
summer
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 10-14, 16, 19-21, 24 12/9/10
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