Mimulus lewisii
| Mimulus lewisii | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Mimulus lewisii (common name: great purple monkey flower)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only lightly cover the seed[1]. 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[1].
Division in spring[1]. 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[1].
Cultivation: Prefers rather moist places such as damp borders, margins of streams and boggy spots[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Thrives in full sun so long as the soil does not dry out[1], otherwise it is best grown in partial shade[3]. This species tolerates slightly drier conditions than M. guttatus, it prefers a rich soil in light woodland[1].
Hardy to at least -20°c[3]. Another report says that plants are only hardy in the milder parts of Britain[4].
There is some confusion over the naming of this plant, the entry on edibility may refer to M. luteus, which is closely related to this species.
Range: Western N. America - Alaska to Mexico.
Habitat: Moist areas, stream edges and wet slopes[5]. In and along streams from moderate to high elevations[6].
Edibility: Leaves and stems - raw or cooked[5].
Medicinal: Poultice[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.