Erythranthe (Mimulus) cardinalis, Scarlet Monkeyflower

Scarlet Monkeyflower is an attractive herbacious perennial that bears red or orange-red flowers and toothed, downy leaves. It is typically found in wetlands or moist areas. It can take full sun but seems to do better with part shade. You definitely need this plant in your bioswale or hummingbird garden for its blooms, which hummingbirds love. It will get about 3 x 3 ft tall and spreads if in a moist spot. Cut it down in winter for a flush of new growth in the spring.

Erythranthe cardinalis is cultivated in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant for natural landscapes, and native plant and habitat gardens. Cultivars come in a range of colors between yellow and red, including the “Santa Cruz Island Gold” variety, originally collected from Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California. In the wild, it is generally found at low elevation in moist areas.