Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Pamela’
This monkeyflower hybrid offers striking, golden-yellow flowers with white edging. Monkeyflowers are shrubby perennials, beloved for their showy displays of frilly, trumpet-shaped flowers from mid spring through summer. This selection comes from Susan Ashley, a Bay Area grower and instructor of plant propagation. Relatively compact, it will grow 1 to 2 foot tall by 2 foot wide, with narrow, shiny, dark-green foliage. Plant in full sun on the coast to light shade inland, with good drainage. Drought tolerant once established, but occasional deep watering extends the bloom period. Pinching stems helps produce a sturdy structure to hold its abundant blossoms. Highly attractive to bees and hummingbirds, and a larval food source for painted lady and checkerspot butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Peach Hybrid’
This dependable monkeyflower hybrid is one of the oldest in our collection. The large, frilly blossoms are a rich peachy-orange and bloom profusely from spring through autumn. Grows 2-3 ft. tall, but benefits from pinching back to keep compact. A drought tolerant shrub that can grow in full sun on the coast to part shade inland. Monkeyflowers require good drainage and respond to occasional watering, but resent drip irrigation systems that deliver water on a regular basis. A larval food source for painted lady and checkerspot butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Phil’s White’
The blooms of this monkeyflower hybrid open as a pale ivory-yellow and mature to a cool white. 'Phil's White' is a cross between the lovely White Verity Diplacus (Mimulus) hybrid and Diplacus bifidus from Bowman Lake in the Sierra Nevada (thanks to Ted Kipping). It has proved long-lived in both Fulton and Sebastopol. Foliage is evergreen but benefits from occasional pinching of older stems. This selection has the useful characteristic of sprouting new growth from the base so that old growth can be pruned away. Best with light shade and good drainage. Water occasionally for best blooms. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Trish’
Large rosy-pink flowers are the hallmark of this hybrid monkeyflower developed by Richard Persoff. Monkeyflowers are evergreen, drought tolerant sub-shrubs with attractive tubular flowers. This is a restrained form at 1 - 2 ft. tall and wide. Best with good drainage, light shade and careful watering. Give it occasional deep soaks in the summer and pinch the stems to create a good support for the abundant flowers. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds work the flowers and painted lady and checkerspot butterflies use it as a larval food source. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘U.C. Hybrid’
A rich-toned hybrid monkeyflower displaying mamalade-orange flowers with contrasting burnished-red throats. Monkeyflowers are 2-3-foot evergreen subshrubs that bloom from spring through summer, and this cultivar is an especially verdant and vigorous form. Does best with good drainage, and prefers afternoon shade inland. Thrives when kept on the dry side with occasional deep summer waterings. Stems can be pinched to form a stronger, denser framework to support its floriferous branches. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees enjoy the flowers. A larval food source for checkerspot and painted lady butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Vibrant Red’
This monkeyflower hybrid sports large, tubular flowers in a vibrant dark red with yellow nectar guides, a color combination highly attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators. The glossy green foliage grows 2 ft. or more tall and wide and is the perfect foil for the showy, late spring and summer blossoms. Pinch back older stems to keep it looking fresh and dense. Monkeyflowers can be planted in full sun to light shade, but prefer afternoon shade inland. Needs good drainage and occasional summer water. A larval food source for buckeye and checkerspot butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) ‘Willits Apricot’
A chance seedling, this apricot-yellow monkeyflower appeared in a Willits garden near plantings of other hybrids. The large, trumpet-like flowers are elegant and buttery-soft in tone. A vigorous and willing grower, the evergreen foliage reaches up to 3 ft. tall and wide. Does well in full sun on the coast to light shade inland, and prefers good drainage. Best with occasional deep watering in the summer and pinching to form good support for the abundant flowers. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds work the flowers and the painted lady and checkerspot butterflies use it as a larval food source. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus
Sticky monkeyflower is the native monkeyflower species that brightens the hills and coast around Sonoma County. From spring through summer, its profuse yellow-orange tubular flowers decorate evergreen foliage reaching 2-4 feet tall and wide. An unbeatable habitat plant that is highly attractive to hummingbirds. Give it good drainage and keep on the dry side. Thrives in full sun near coast with light shade inland, and benefits from light annual trimming. A larval food source for the common checkerspot and buckeye butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus ‘Freezeout Creek’
This stand-out form of our local native monkeyflower was found growing on a slope near a lush redwood forest in western Sonoma County. Instead of the more typical yellow-orange, the trumpet-shaped flowers of 'Freezeout Creek' are larger and boast velvety red petals edged with gold. Monkeyflowers are evergreen sub-shrubs, that grow 2 -4 ft. tall, and bloom profusely in the late spring and into summer. Plant in full sun on the coast to light shade inland and give it decent drainage. Drought tolerant once established but responds to occasional summer water, especially when blooming. Benefits from annual pruning and pinching. The flowers are pollinated by bees and hummingbirds and are a host plant for checkerspot and buckeye butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus ‘Mattole Point’
Found along the Lost Coast near the mouth of the Mattole River by Mark Moore of the Humboldt Botanic Garden, this fine selection of our native sticky monkeyflower has particularly beautiful evergreen foliage and a compact habit with glossy, dark-green, deeply veined leaves. The abundant orange, tubular flowers are tucked into the dense foliage which grows 2 ft. or so tall and wide. Plant in full sun on the coast to light shade inland and provide good drainage and occasional summer water. Hummingbirds and bees use the flowers and it is a larval food source for checkerspot and buckeye butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus ‘Rodeo Gold’
This form of sticky monkeyflower offers warm yellow tubular flowers with a golden throat, rather than the more usual orange flowers. This Cal Flora Nursery selection was found in southern coastal Marin County. Evergreen foliage grows roughly 3 ft. tall and wide. Benefits from pinching back of older stems to keep it denser. Plant in full sun on the coast to part shade insland, and provide with occasional summer water. Monkeyflowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. The checkerspot and buckeye butterflies use it as a larval food source. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus ‘Russian Gulch’
From the bluffs of the Sonoma Coast comes this beautifully compact form of sticky monkeyflower. The shiny, evergreen leaves are spaced to form a tight mound, 2 ft or so tall and wide. From late spring into autumn, cheerful, orange, tubular flowers cover the dense foliage. Makes a colorful, drought-tolerant addition to the garden where it can grow in full sun on the coast to part shade inland. Benefits from pinching to form a strong framework to support the flower display. Requires good drainage and responds to occasional watering, but resents drip irrigation systems that deliver water on a regular basis. Hummingbirds and bees relish the flowers and it is the larval food source for checkerspot and buckeye butterflies. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus ‘Ted’s Yellow’
Grows 2 - 3 ft. tall with yellow tubular flowers. Full sun near coast, light shade inland. Good drainage, keep on the dry side and fertilize minimally. Benefits from annual trimming. Larval food source for the common checkerspot and buckeye butterflies. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) bifidus ‘Esselen’
We have been impressed with this fine selection from Big Sur, which offers compact habit, shiny green foliage and broad bright-orange flowers over a long period. Plant in sun to light shade with little to occasional summer water. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all work the flowers and it is a larval food source for the Checkerspot butterfly. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) bifidus ‘White’
This elegant monkeyflower has extra frilly, creamy-white, azalea-like flowers, with soft yellow throats. The abundant blossoms stand out against the slender, deep green foliage and bloom over a long period, late spring and into fall. Reaches about 2 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide. Plant in sun to light shade with good drainage and occasional summer water. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are all drawn to the flowers and it is a larval food source for checkerspot and painted lady butterflies. Great in a container. Deer resistant.
Diplacus (Mimulus) calycinus
From central and southern California, this species is similar to our local sticky monkeyflower but has large, creamy-yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Grows 2 - 3 ft tall, and at least as wide, and flowers from late spring through summer. For sun to light shade with good-draining soils and occasional summer water. Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies and it is a larval food source for checkerspot and painted lady butterflies. Deer resistant. Previously: Mimulus longiflorus ssp. calycinus.
Diplacus (Mimulus) longiflorus
Hummingbirds love the abundant deep red flowers of this stand-out monkeyflower. Hailing from Southern California and growing 2 -3 ft. tall, and at least as wide, this drought-tolerant, floriferous shrublet blooms late spring into fall. Plant in sun to light shade with good drainage and occasional summer water. Besides hummingbirds, other pollinators will be attracted to the flowers, and the foliage is used by checkerspot and painted lady butterfly larvae. Deer resistant.
Dudleya virens ssp. hassei
Endemic to Catalina Island, this rare succulent forms chalky-grey rosettes made up of plump fingerlike leaves, 6 inches tall and spreading to form a mat 1 – 2 feet wide. Small white flowers with yellow centers on stems 6 -12 inches tall, bloom in the late spring and are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional deep summer watering. Tolerates heavier soils than most Dudleyas. A dependable small-scale groundcover or container plant.
Epilobium ‘Bert’s Bluff’
A Las Pilitas Nursery selection, named for the founder, Bert Wilson. This California fuchsia sports grey foliage, growing 2 -3 foot tall and spreading. Blooming in late summer, the bright orange-red, tubular flowers are beloved by hummingbirds, but visited by bees as well. This cultivar is reputed as being particularly tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and growing environments. Plant in full sun with occasional deep summer watering.
Epilobium ‘Chaparral Silver’
This California fuchsia that we obtained from another grower appears to be identical to our ‘Roger’s U. C. Hybrid’ - same lovely gray foliage 12 -18 inches tall, spreading, with narrow red tubular flowers that the hummingbirds love. Provide full sun to bright shade. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium ‘Roger’s U.C. Hybrid’
A California fuchsia that is upright in habit with narrow silver-gray foliage and slender trumpet-shaped blossoms of orange-red. Reaches a height of about 1 1/2 ft. and spreads easily. Very similar to the selections ‘Carman’s Gray’ and ‘Chaparral Silver’. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Hummingbird favorite. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium ‘Schieffelin’s Choice’
This California fuchsia grows close to the ground - 10 - 12 inches tall with arching flower stalks. Gray foliage makes a wonderful foil for the bright orangey-red tubular flowers which appear summer through fall. Believed to be a cross between E. septentrionale and E. canum. Provide full sun to very light shade. One of the more drought tolerant selections but flowers best with occasional deep watering. Hummingbird favorite. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year. Perhaps more deer resistant than other California fuchsias.
Epilobium canum ‘Bowman’s Hybrid’
This California fuchsia has distinctive narrow, olive-green foliage and an upright habit about 2-3 ft. tall and spreading widely. The orange-red tubular flowers are petite but profuse. Plant in sunny areas. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvinate them for the following year. Hummingbird favorite.
Epilobium canum ‘Brilliant Smith’
This California fuchsia grows 8 inches or so tall with wide green leaves. Especially large red tubular flowers appear in summer and continue into fall. 'Brilliant Smith' is one of the reddest California fuchsias. The habit of this plant can be improved with shearing in the winter. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Hummingbird favorite.
Epilobium canum ‘Calistoga’
Phil Van Soelen’s selection of California fuchsia from the Palisades east of Calistoga. Forms a spreading mat of unusually wide, fuzzy, gray leaves. The flowers are the typical hummingbird attracting orange-red trumpet shape and appear on stalks reaching up to 18 inches high. For sunny areas. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Carman’s Grey’
We love California fuchsias and have grown this cultivar for over twenty years. Valued for their beauty and important late season nectar source for hummingbirds, California fuchsias offer many forms and foliage colors. 'Carman's Grey' has gorgeous grey foliage which contrasts beautifully with the masses of orangey-red, tubular flowers, late summer and fall. The grey, narrow leaves form soft mounds 2 foot tall, spreading by underground rhizomes, 4 foot or so wide. Plant in full sun to very light shade where it is tolerant of many soil types, even heavy clay, drought tolerant, but best with occasional summer watering. Hummingbird magnet and bees use it too.
Epilobium canum ‘Catalina’
An outstanding selection of California fuchsia growing 3 ft. tall or more. This may be the tallest cultivar available, sometimes reaching as much as 5 ft. tall. The foliage is silvery-gray with an abundance of large, brilliant orangey-red tubular flowers late summer through fall. This species from southern California is particularly drought tolerant. Hummingbird favorite. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Cloverdale’
This form of California fuchsia was selected by U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum from along the Russian River north of Cloverdale. Low, slightly mounding fuzzy olive-green foliage with an abundance of orangey-red tubular flowers the hummingbirds love. Usually stays bellow one ft. in height. 'Cloverdale' is one of the most orange selections of California fuchsia. Plant in full sun. Flowers best with occasional deep watering. Pruning plants down to a few inches in late autumn helps to rejuvenate them for the following year.
Epilobium canum ‘Coral Canyon’
This elegant and unusual form of the California fuchsia offers a prolific display of peachy-pink flowers, a departure from the more common orangey-red blossoms. The late-summer, autumn blooms are held on distinctly upright stems reaching 1 ½ ft. high above broader, bright green foliage. Unlike most native fuchsias, this selection is somewhat shy to spread, generally forming a rounded mound about 2 ft. wide. Enjoys full sun, but will benefit from a little afternoon shade in hot areas. Likes moderate to occasional irrigation. Hummingbirds and bees partake from the flowers. We must thank Cistus Nursery for discovering the parent plant on a high ridge above the North Fork of the American River.