Mimulus Purple Hybrid Plants

Mimulus

• The common name "monkey flower" recognizes the surprising, face-like shape of Mimulus blooms. The flower's genus name points to more human traits, derived from the Latin word mimus, meaning "mimic actor," and the earlier Greek mimos or "imitator," with the suggestion that flowers resemble painted faces. Small, herbaceous monkey flowers are annual bedding plants that germinate and grow easily from seed. They thrive in moist but well-drained loamy garden soil, and typically bloom from early spring through summer. Larger bushy perennials, sometimes woody like shrubs, often do well in rocky, dry soils.

Purple Hybrid

• A tall bush-type hybrid monkey flower, Mimulus "Purple Hybrid" grows in either sun or partial shade and requires well-drained soil. One thing it doesn't need is endless water; in most climates you'll only need to water it occasionally even in summer. Plants can do well in dry soil. Away from coastal and other cool climate areas, provide plants with light shade to keep them thriving. Purple Hybrid monkey flowers are vigorous and easy to grow, reaching 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. At least in California they will bloom almost all year, with at least some water and periodic pruning. Purple Hybrid does well in the garden and also containers. Large maroon-purple flowers are edged with white, particularly eye-catching, and are magnets for hummingbirds.

Jelly Bean Purple Pink

• The large pale magenta-purple flowers of the hybrid Mimulus "Jelly Bean Purple Pink" keep coming year-round in mild coastal climates. Plants can grow elsewhere, however, and are cold hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Small and compact shrub-like clumps grow 1 to 2 feet tall and are fairly vigorous. Plants need well-drained soil but water them sparingly. In cooler climates full sun is fine, but where summers get hot, part shade is better. Deadhead plants regularly.

Magic White Blotch

• This tidy annual bedding or container plant does best in full sun in cooler climates, but in the Southwest and other hot areas it needs partial shade. Mimulus "Magic White Blotch" thrives in moist garden loam yet tolerates heavy clay or wet soils -- growing in places plants that can't take "wet feet" fear to tread. This particular hybrid blooms very early -- within two months of seed germination -- and keeps blooming through summer. White flowers are painted with small dots and blotches of deep burgundy. Compact plants grow 10 inches tall and spread 10 or 12 inches wide.