Mimulus moschatus
A low-growing perennial with soft, hairy leaves and yellow tubular flowers emitting a musky scent, typically found in moist, shaded habitats in western North America and widely grown as an ornamental that attracts pollinators.
Common Names
Muskflower, Musk Flower, Musk Monkeyflower, Eyebright, Musk Plant
Summary
Mimulus moschatus is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to western North America, from British Columbia to Montana and California, with occurrences in eastern North America where native or introduced, and reported in Chile and parts of Europe after escape. It grows about 20–40 cm tall with prostrate or ascending stems and opposite oval leaves up to 6 cm long, and bears tubular yellow flowers up to about 2.6 cm long that carry a musky scent.
In cultivation, it prefers moist or wet soils and grows best in full sun to partial shade; it tolerates wet habitats such as stream banks and wetlands and requires regular watering. Propagation is by seed, division, or softwood cuttings. It is valued ornamentally for its attractive yellow flowers and musky fragrance, used in rock gardens and as ground cover, and it attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Lifecycle
Annual, Perennial
Height
8-16 inches
Spread
8-12 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 6-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade; tolerates partial shade to full shade; full sun thrives with moist soil, otherwise partial shade.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Moist to wet, poorly drained soils
Soil pH
5.0-8.0, acidic to mildly alkaline soils
Bloom Color
Yellow
Bloom Time
Spring, Summer, and Fall
Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts butterflies and moths, no listed support for bees, hummingbirds, or birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Douglas ex Lindl.
- Publication
- Bot. Reg. 13: t. 1118 (1828)
- Synonym Of
- Erythranthe moschata