Its officially spring in the garden and we are beginning to get our wildflower show. The month of March brought us some much needed rain and the plants at our garden are sure happier for it. One outstanding wildflower that is blooming right now is the Seep Monkey Flower (Mimulusguttatus) which has bright yellow flowers with red freckles and resembles a monkey's face. This Monkeyflower can be found in all across the state in wet places like seasonal springs, bogs or even roadside ditches. In San Francisco a few places it can be found are the ditch that leads to Fort Point in the Presidio, along the northern section of mountain lake, and in Lobos Creek. This plant is great for wet places and does well under garden conditions with regular water. If you have a leaky faucet or a bird bath that gets regular visits place this Monkey Flower underneath and watch as it takes off with its rhizomes spreading as far as the water will let it. Seep Monkey Flower is a wonderful plant for a bee or hummingbird garden because it is produces numerous flowers and has a long flowering period. If pruned periodically it may flower into the fall but goes dormant in the winter beginning to show its colors again in April.
Seep Monkey Flower at a glance
Sun: Full-Part Shade Water: The wetter the better Soil: Tolerates clay, serpentine, sand and seasonal flooding Wildlife: Bees and Hummingbirds Pair with: Common Rush, Sedges, Fringe Cup and other stream side plants.
