Mimulus puniceus

This sub-shrub grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and is an excellent choice for a hardy, deer resistant Sticky monkeyflower blooms prolifically with one inch orange flowers that attract hummingbirds. For the best care plant in well drained soil and give very little water once established - too much water can cause root rot. Cutting back spent flowers flowers can provide a longer blooming time. Plant on slopes for erosion control. Cut back hard to renovate plant at anytime during growing period. Flowers April to October. Native to California and is found only slightly beyond California borders, to Baja California. Larval host for the Variable Checkerspot butterfly, the Common Checkerspot and Sara Orange-tip butterflies. Good nectar source for hummingbirds. Rich nectar and pollen source for bees. A decoction of plant parts was used by the Ohlone people to treat liver and bladder problems and as an eyewash by the Kashaya Pomo people. Found in rocky hillsides and cliffs, usually on the border of chaparral or sage scrub, or in open foothill woodland forest. Communitites located in Northern Coastal Scrub, Coastal Sage Scrub, Closed-cone Pine Forest, Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Joshua Tree Woodland Between 0 and 7500 feet .

Woody shrub to 4' with buff-orange, 1-2" flowers from spring to summer. The variable leaves range from broad to narrow, are usually deeply-veined with slightly rolled edges, and are almost always sticky to the touch. Provide full sun, well-drained soil and moderate to occasional watering when established. Hardy to 10F. Chaparral community from Southern Oregon to California.

So attractive to hummingbirds & butterflies, showy bright red flaring “Monkey Flowers” borne in sprays on multi-branching stems, bloom Spring thru Fall on this hard to find shrubby Mimulus. In its native habitat it’s usually found growing on dry hillsides, so it does best with limited water once established (every 2 weeks in Summer). Useful too, as it grows well under oak trees. A little pruning in Fall will help it maintain a nice shrubby appearance. May go semi-dormant in Winter. To 2’ tall x 3’ across.