Diplacus puniceus ‘Vibrant Red’, Red Monkeyflower

This monkeyflower hybrid sports large, tubular flowers in a vibrant dark red with yellow nectar guides, a color combination highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. It grows to about 2 x 2 feet, has dark green leaves, and trumpet-shaped flowers that can last for most of the year. However, the blooming period depends greatly on the rainfall pattern.

Pinch back older stems to keep it looking fresh and dense. Monkeyflowers can be planted in full sun to light shade, but prefer afternoon shade inland. It needs good drainage and occasional summer water. It provides a larval food source for buckeye and checkerspot butterflies. Deer dislike the stickiness of the foliage and generally leave it alone.

In most cases, this plant needs to go semi-deciduous in the summer. Direct watering in late summer or early fall with often kill it. Best to let it go dormant for the hottest months of the year, and then watch it come back with the rains. Healthy plants will readily reseed.