Mimulus cardinalis

RHS Plant Profile

scarlet monkey flower

Copyrighted 2003

Other common names

cardinal monkey flower

Synonyms

Mimulus cardinalis

Annual Biennial Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright perennial, often grown as an annual, with creeping rhizomes, bearing 2-lipped scarlet flowers to 5cm in length over a long period in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Phrymaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: A genus of over 120 annuals or herbaceous perennials, many of which tolerate wet soils or even shallow water. Flowers are red, pink or yellow and some have a musky fragrance. They are a key food source for some species of butterflies and moths
Name Status: Synonym
Plant Range: W USA to Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in wet, humus-rich soil in full sun or very light dappled shade, can also be planted at pond margins in up to 10cm of water. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or early spring, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

slugs and snails can be a problem

Diseases

Young plants are susceptible to Powdery mildews