- Author: Lanie Keystone
Besides each of us inveterate gardeners “playing in the dirt”, the happiest guys in the garden have to be the Sticky Bush Monkey Flower! They are California Natives—but, beware—because not all California natives are equal or even drought tolerant! These plants are of two genus. The first, the genus Mimulus, are named for their funny flower faces. To many folks, they look like smiling monkeys. They are named for the Latin word, mimus—meaning comic actor or mime. Taxonomically similar, but quite different in their plant community requirements, is the genus Diplacus. Both have those fabulous funny flower faces and those sensational sticky-backed leaves. (More about those later!)
Monkey Flowers of the Mimulus genus like moist areas in riparian settings and aren't very drought tolerant. In fact, some species are annuals that appear only with a constant source of moisture like seasonal creeks or ponds.
But, for our very dry current conditions, there's nothing more wonderful than having the drought tolerant woody perennials of the California Diplacus species. Their bright flowers fill the garden with splashes of joyful color. Depending on your selection, they shine brightly in yellow or orange. They like dry conditions and can often be found growing in almost solid rock with very little moisture. If necessary, they will often survive a drought by going summer deciduous. So, don't panic if you find them in that survival mode. Diplacus species are erect and woody in growth habit. All Monkey Flowers love to bask in full sun but will tolerate part or even full shade.
Now, about those sticky leaves. Many California Native plants were used for medicinal purposes by the First Nation Peoples. Among the neatest and most resourceful use are the leaves of the Bush Sticky Monkey Flower. Because of their sticky-backed leaves—they were used by our Native predecessors on scratches and cuts as the first Band-Aid. That's resourceful. Try it sometime—it works!