Monkey Musk, Yellow monkey-flower
Mimulus luteus

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Mimulus luteus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to August. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Wet places. Locally naturalized by streams in Scotland.

S. America - Chile. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Leaves - raw or cooked. Eaten as greens.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers rather moist places such as damp borders, margins of streams and boggy spots. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Thrives in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out. Hardy to about -20°c. There is some confusion over the naming of this plant, the entry on edibility may refer to M. guttatus, which is closely related to this species. Hybridizes with M. guttatus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only lightly cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it can also be sown in situ in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of softwood, 5cm long in spring or summer.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

M. tilingii caespitosus. (Greene.)A.L.Grant. M. smithii. Auct.