Description
Mimulus – Diplacus – Monkey Flower – Musk –
There are about 180 species of quick growing annuals, perennial, and evergreen shrubs, in this genus. They all may be short lived. They occur in Southern Africa, Asia, Australia, and North, Central and South America, usually occurring in damp areas but sometimes found in chaparral or deserts. From stems covered in fine hairs and sticky glands, which may be present on the opposite, smooth edged or toothed leaves which are linear to nearly rounded, and mostly pale to dark green. Snapdragon like, 5 lobed, 2 lipped, tubular shaped flowers, often heavily spotted in contrasting colors, are borne from spring to autumn on upright stems, either in the axils or in spike like racemes. The smaller species and cultivars are suitable for a damp pocket in a rock garden, grow most of the larger ones in a damp border or bog garden. Use the shrubs in a warm border. Where not hardy grow as bedding annuals.
Grow most species in fertile, humus rich, wet or very moist soil in full sun or light, dappled shade. Divide perennials in spring.
Prone to downy mildew, aster yellows, powdery mildew, gray mold, whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids.
M. ringens – Allegheny Monkey Flower – This erect, hairless perennial from Eastern North America grows 36″ tall and 12″ wide. From square branching stems it carries semi-clasping, lance shaped to narrowly oblong or inversely lance shaped, toothed, mid green leaves, 2-4″ long. From early to late summer it bears solitary, axillary, tubular, violet, violet-blue, white, or rarely pink flowers, 1 1/4″ long, with narrow throats. Can be grown in water to 6″ deep.
Zones 4-9
