california native flora

Mimulus Aurantiacus – Sticky Monkeyflower

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Sticky Monkeyflower grows in the wild around these parts (East Ventura County / West LA County). It also has the best common name of any plant in the entire universe. I thought it would be ideal for the patio garden as it’s also loved by hummingbirds but so far it’s been a bit of a challenge to get it right. My first Monkeyflower (pictured) was from Conejo Valley Botanical Garden and it flowered then croaked within a month of planting. The second specimen from the Theodore Payne Foundation also withered and died shortly after planting. Right now I am caring for a specimen from the Matilija Nursery in Moorpark and I was lucky enough to germinate some seeds from Larner Seeds. The Matilija Nursery specimen is in the ground, the seedlings are in a pot. Both are in partial sun and I’m taking care to limit the water they get as I think I over-watered the first two.

The water issue is partly why some people like to differentiate the drought tolerant Sticky Monkeyflower from other plants in the Mimulus genus by referring to it as Diplacus Aurantiacus. Many Mimulus plants are fond of water in quantities that are clearly fatal to Sticky Monkeyflower.

Assuming one successfully grows Mimulus Aurantiacus it can grow to 3′ tall. It flowers from Spring into Summer with wide mouthed yellow to light orange blooms which are loved by hummingbirds and several native butterflies. The flowers have white markings in the center which some say make it look like a Monkey.