Description
Mimulus guttatus (now listed as Erythranthe guttata), known as monkey flower, is a short-lived, mat-forming perennial with toothed, oval, mid-green leaves on hollow stems. In summer it carries bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, often spotted red or reddish-brown in the throat.
Monkey flower at a glance
| Botanical name |
Erythranthe guttata (syn. Mimulus guttatus) |
| Common name |
Monkey flower |
| Plant type |
Short-lived, mat-forming perennial; dies back in winter |
| Height and spread |
About 30 cm to 1 m tall (sources differ), 50–100 cm wide |
| Flowers |
Bright yellow trumpets, often spotted red in the throat, July to September |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade |
| Soil |
Permanently moist, fertile, humus-rich soil or wet mud |
| Pond depth |
Wet mud at the pond edge; no source gives a water depth |
| Hardiness |
RHS H5 – hardy in a cold winter (-15 to -10°C) |
| Native to |
Not UK native; naturalised along UK streams and ponds |
Where to plant monkey flower
- Wet mud at the edge of a garden pond
- Bog gardens with permanently moist, fertile soil
- Full sun or part shade
Does monkey flower spread?
Yes. It spreads by seed and by stems that root into wet mud, and it has escaped along streams, rivers and ponds in the UK. It is not legally restricted, but keep it to garden ponds and do not plant it beside natural watercourses.
How to plant and care for it
Plant in spring in soil that stays wet. It is a short-lived perennial. Watch for slugs and snails; it may also get powdery mildew.
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.
