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Allegheny monkey flower Mimulus ringens

Phonetic Spelling
MIM-yoo-luss RIN-jens
Description

Mimulus ringens is a rhizomatous, upright perennial which typically occurs in swampy areas, wet meadows, pond/streambanks, and low woods. It is best grown in part shade.  The flowers look something like a monkey's face, giving it the common name.

The blooms appear as solitary long-stalked flowers.  They will grow as a pair, opposite each other on the leaf axils at the upper portion of the plant.  Typically, they will bloom on different days.

Plant in 1-2 gallon containers using rich soil.  Cover with 0.5-2 in. of water.

Host plant for the Common buckeye (Junonia coenia) and Baltimore checkerspot (euphydryas phaeton) butterflies.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No issues noted.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#host plant#perennial#butterfly caterpillar host
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#native perennial#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wet soils tolerant#host plant#perennial#butterfly caterpillar host
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mimulus
    Species:
    ringens
    Family:
    Phrymaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies. Pollinated by bumblebees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Water Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit grows as an oblong capsule, each containing from 500 to 1000 seeds. They are spread by the wind and spread on the surface of the surrounding areas.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    A solitary, blue, violet, red or pink snapdragon-like flowers (to 1" long) with two-lipped, open-mouthed corollas. Flowers appear in pairs in the leaf axils on slender 1-2" long pedicels.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 4" long, the dark green, oblong leaves taper at both ends.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Square stems with a groove on the sides. Many branches on the lower part of the plant.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil