Erythranthe cardinalis

Common Names

Scarlet Monkey Flower, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Cardinal Monkey Flower, Monkey Flower

Summary

Scarlet Monkeyflower is a perennial native to moist habitats along streams and seeps in the western United States and Baja California. It forms a robust clump about 1–3 ft tall with a broad spread, bearing opposite, oblong to obovate, very hairy leaves. Summer flowers are tubular and bilabiate, scarlet to orange-red and nectar-rich, attracting hummingbirds.

Cultivation requires consistently moist or wet soil, with full sun to partial shade; ideal near ponds, streams, or water features and tolerant of occasional flooding. It spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds readily and can be propagated by seed or division; commonly used in ornamental native plantings, water gardens, bog gardens, and at stream margins.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

2-4 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-draining soil such as loam or sandy loam, organically rich or humus-rich preferred, avoid heavy clay soils.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Red to orange-red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering, Rhizomes

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds