Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens) is a perennial wildflower that is hardy in zones 3-8 and is native to North America. The flowers are lilac-purple, tubular in shape, and resemble a smiling monkey face. Each flower has two upper lobes and three lower rounded lobes, measuring about 1 ½ inches across.
They bloom from July to September and are known for being non-fragrant. The flowers produce both nectar and pollen, making them attractive to bumblebees and hummingbirds. Additionally, this plant serves as a valuable host for butterfly and moth caterpillars. Monkey Flower prefers full sun to part shade and typically reaches a mature height of 1-3 feet with a spread of about 12 inches.
This plant thrives in loam, peat, and sand, and it flourishes in moist to wet habitats, making it ideal for rain gardens. Planting Monkey Flower along waterways can help prevent erosion.
The stems are square-shaped, erect, and have hairless surfaces. The leaves are lance-shaped to oblong, arranged oppositely on the stems, and feature a sticky texture with dark green color and toothed edges. After flowering, seed pods form, splitting open to release the seeds. The plant has a taproot along with a fibrous network of creeping rhizomes.
Companion plants include Swamp Milkweed, New England Aster, Blue Flag Iris, Cardinal Flower, Obedient Plant, and White Turtlehead. Monkey Flower can propagate through self-seeding and creeping rhizomes. It is also resistant to deer and rabbits.
This plant can be divided, but ensure each section contains both roots and foliage. Water well until the sections are established.
Historically, Monkey Flower was first described by Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens) is a perennial wildflower that is hardy in zones 3-8 and is native to North America. The flowers are lilac-purple, tubular in shape, and resemble a smiling monkey face. Each flower has two upper lobes and three lower rounded lobes, measuring about 1 ½ inches across.
They bloom from July to September and are known for being non-fragrant. The flowers produce both nectar and pollen, making them attractive to bumblebees and hummingbirds. Additionally, this plant serves as a valuable host for butterfly and moth caterpillars. Monkey Flower prefers full sun to part shade and typically reaches a mature height of 1-3 feet with a spread of about 12 inches.
This plant thrives in loam, peat, and sand, and it flourishes in moist to wet habitats, making it ideal for rain gardens. Planting Monkey Flower along waterways can help prevent erosion.
The stems are square-shaped, erect, and have hairless surfaces. The leaves are lance-shaped to oblong, arranged oppositely on the stems, and feature a sticky texture with dark green color and toothed edges. After flowering, seed pods form, splitting open to release the seeds. The plant has a taproot along with a fibrous network of creeping rhizomes.
Companion plants include Swamp Milkweed, New England Aster, Blue Flag Iris, Cardinal Flower, Obedient Plant, and White Turtlehead. Monkey Flower can propagate through self-seeding and creeping rhizomes. It is also resistant to deer and rabbits.
This plant can be divided, but ensure each section contains both roots and foliage. Water well until the sections are established.
Historically, Monkey Flower was first described by Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century.
