Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Perennials

Scarlet Monkey Flower, Mimulus cardinalis

Scarlet Monkey Flower, Mimulus cardinalis Flowering Photos Taken April 19, 2008. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Scarlet Monkey Flower Leaves Mimulus cardinalis Leaves	Scarlet Monkey Flower Mimulus cardinalis Flower

Scarlet Monkey Flower Mimulus cardinalis, Snapdragon or Figwort Family: ( Scrophulariaceae ), Scarlet Monkey Flower. Also called: Diplacus cardinalis, Erythranthe cardinalis, Mimulus cardinalis var. griseus, Mimulus cardinalis var. rigens. Yes, I know that this page is about Xeriscape, but if you have a wet place in your garden (such as near a birdbath, mister, or hose) that gets a good amount of sun? Then you have the perfect location for a Scarlet Monkeyflower. Mimulus cardinalis will build a nice creeping mass of yellow-green stems and leaves during the spring, easily growing to about 3 or 4 feet wide and about 1 to 2 feet tall. Then in the late spring or summer, you will get a profusion of red to red orange flowers persisting well into late September. To top it off they are frequently visited by hummingbirds. Height: About 2 - 3 feet in height. The branching flower spikes can reach 5’ tall! Flowers: The flower is 1 - 2 inches in size, bright red, tubular, slightly flatterned at the sides with a yellow spotting in the throat. Stalk: Several erect, sparsely leaved stems with pinkish-lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a long, open, interrupted cluster. Blooming Time: April - June. Leaves: Toothed, light green, ovate, downy leaves on erect hairy stems.. Found: Found in the western U.S. to Mexico. Elevation: 3,500 and 6,500 feet. Habitat: Clay soils. Prefers humus rich soil. Sun to full shade and regular water. An ideal landscape plant in Arizona. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken April 19, 2008. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Not fully hardy but will stand some frosts to about 23F.