perennialN. America Native

Allegheny Monkey Flower

Mimulus ringens

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

36 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium to wet

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial, but self-seeds

Native To

Eastern and Central North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Mimulus ringens is an upright, rhizomatous perennial native to wetlands, stream banks, and wet meadows of eastern and central North America. It features square stems, lance-shaped leaves, and charming, snapdragon-like flowers. The two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers have a distinctive shape that some say resembles a monkey's face, giving the plant its common name. It is an excellent choice for wet areas of the garden where many other plants would fail.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Allegheny Monkey Flower brings a unique charm to the water-wise garden with its lovely lavender-blue, snapdragon-like flowers. It provides vertical structure and a cool color palette during the summer months, looking especially beautiful when planted in drifts.

Its greatest practical use is in ecological landscaping. It is a key species for rain gardens, shoreline stabilization, and wetland restoration projects, as it thrives in saturated soils where few other ornamental plants can survive.

As a native plant, it is a superb ecological choice. The flowers are an important nectar and pollen source for native long-tongued bees, including bumblebees. It also supports other pollinators and contributes to the biodiversity of wetland habitats.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun or part shade with moist to wet soil
Amend the soil with compost to improve moisture retention if needed
Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot
Gently remove the plant and place it in the hole at the same depth
Backfill with soil and water in thoroughly
Mulch to conserve moisture, especially if not in a boggy area

Pro Tip

This plant thrives in conditions that would kill most perennials; don't be afraid to plant it in constantly soggy or boggy soil.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture; this plant cannot tolerate drought
Allow it to self-seed to form naturalistic colonies
Plant in full sun for the sturdiest stems and best flowering
Cut back stems after flowering to encourage a tidier appearance

Don't

Do not plant in dry, well-drained garden soil
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely
Don't worry if it spreads; it is not aggressively invasive
Don't over-fertilize, as it thrives in average soil

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Divide
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Essential component of rain gardens and bioswalesNaturalistic planting along pond and stream edgesAdds vertical interest to moist meadows

Companion Plants

Asclepias incarnata Eupatorium maculatum Iris versicolor Lobelia siphilitica Juncus effusus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Allegheny Monkey Flower questions

What zones can Allegheny Monkey Flower grow in?

Allegheny Monkey Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Allegheny Monkey Flower deer resistant?

Yes — Allegheny Monkey Flower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Allegheny Monkey Flower bloom?

Allegheny Monkey Flower typically blooms in mid-summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Allegheny Monkey Flower need full sun?

Allegheny Monkey Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.