Image of Mimulus Rupicola at Google
Mimulus Rupicola – Death Valley Monkey-flower is a species of monkey flower, is a flowering plant in the family Phrymaceae.
Overview
- Mimulus rupicola is endemic to the northern Mojave Desert within Inyo County, in eastern California.
- Although quite rare, the Death Valley monkeyflower can be found in shaded limestone crevices on steep canyon walls in the mountains bordering Death Valley, and the sky islands in the northern Mojave Desert.
- Mimulus rupicola is a perennial herbaceous plant, growing 1-17 cm tall, with oblanceolate leaves 2-6 cm long.
- It has pinkish flowers, often faint in color, and has a magenta-purple spot on each lobe.
- They are scientifically classified as:
• Kingdom : Plantae
• (unranked) : Angiosperms
• (unranked) : Eudicots
• (unranked) : Asterids
• Order : Lamiales
• Family : Phrymaceae
• Genus : Mimulus
• Species : M. rupicola
Growing/Caring conditions for Mimulus rupicola – Death Valley Monkey-flower
• Mimulus will grow best in full sun.
• The soil should be moist.
• These plants like to grow in wet ground.
• High temperatures and drying out in drought periods should be completely avoided.
• Plant out any time after May.
• Plant in late September for over-wintering plants.
• This will enable to flower early in the succeeding spring.
• Grow on plants under cover.
• When they reach a height of 8 to 10 cm, they can be transplanted outside.
• Mimulus are ideal for planting in containers.
• They thrive well in a pot.
• Fill the container up to three quarters full and add multipurpose compost.
• Carefully remove the plant from its tray.
• Fill container back in with soil and gently firm it down.
• Water generously.
• Let other plants not over-shade the mimulus as plenty of sun is required by these plants.
• Wash off any aphids that appear on these plants.
• Do it with a carefully aimed jet of water.
• If an infestation of aphids occurs, use an insecticidal soap to treat the problem.
• Cut back the plants once they are grown scraggly.
• Cut them at the end of the flowering period.
• Plant 6 to 12 inches apart.
• Fertilize once or twice during the growing season if desired.
• Pull up and discard plants in autumn after felled by frost.
• Plant the monkey flower seedling in full sun or partial shade.
• Plant them in well-drained soil.
• Cut off old leaves and stems using bypass pruners in early spring.
• Leave 4 to 6 inches of stems.
• Shear off old flowers with scissors.
• This will encourage more blooms.
• Mulch the soil around, but not on top.
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