Description
Mimulus cardinalis (now listed as Erythranthe cardinalis), known as scarlet monkey flower, holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Through summer it carries scarlet, two-lipped flowers up to 5 cm long.
Scarlet monkey flower at a glance
| Botanical name |
Erythranthe cardinalis (syn. Mimulus cardinalis) |
| Common name |
Scarlet monkey flower, cardinal monkey flower |
| Plant type |
Short-lived perennial; dies back in winter |
| Height and spread |
About 50–90 cm tall, up to 50 cm wide |
| Flowers |
Scarlet, two-lipped, up to 5 cm long, over a long period in summer |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade |
| Soil |
Wet, humus-rich, poorly drained soil |
| Pond depth |
0–10 cm of water over the crown |
| Hardiness |
RHS H4 – hardy in an average UK winter (-10 to -5°C) |
| Native to |
Western USA and Mexico (not UK native) |
Where to plant scarlet monkey flower
- A pond margin with up to 10 cm of water over the crown
- Bog gardens with wet, humus-rich soil
- Sun or part shade
Does it come back every year?
It is a perennial, but the RHS describes it as short-lived and it is often grown as an annual. It is rated H4, hardy through an average UK winter, so give it some winter protection in cold areas.
How to plant and care for it
Plant in spring. Deadhead to prolong flowering and cut back after flowering. Protect young shoots from slugs and snails, and watch for powdery mildew on young plants.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
