Mimulus luteus

RHS Plant Profile

yellow monkey flower

Other common names

blood-drop-emlets, monkey musk, yellow musk

Synonyms

Mimulus luteus

Herbaceous Perennial

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A deciduous, spreading, self-seeding perennial that grows to 30cm in height with small oval green leaves. In late spring to summer, bright yellow flowers with red or purple spots on the petals appear

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: 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, Spreading branched
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: South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, very moist soil in sun or partial shade, ideal for damp beds or bog gardens

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required - just cut back old growth at the end of the season

Pests

May be susceptible to damage by slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews