Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) Diplacus aurantiacus
Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) (Diplacus aurantiacus) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Phrymaceae family, native to Coastal California, southern Oregon and northern Baja California. It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
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Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Phrymaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal California, southern Oregon and northern Baja California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower)
- How far apart should I plant Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower)?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower)?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) flower?
- From about April for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sticky monkeyflower (orange bush monkeyflower). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- Calflora: information on California plants, Calflora (non-profit database), Berkeley, California
Notes and assumptions
- A California native of the chaparral and foothills: it grows through the mild, wet winter and rests in the dry summer, when it should be left unwatered once established.
- Glossy, sticky dark leaves and masses of apricot-orange trumpet flowers for months in spring; a host plant for the variable checkerspot butterfly. Its stigma snaps shut when touched by a pollinator. Formerly Mimulus aurantiacus.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Rhododendron Rhododendron
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- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris