Erythranthe lewisii

Common Names

Great Purple Monkeyflower, Lewis' Monkeyflower, Purple Monkeyflower, Pink Monkeyflower

Summary

Lewis' monkeyflower is a rhizomatous perennial native to western North America, forming clumps with erect stems about 25–80 cm tall and opposite lanceolate to elliptic leaves 3–7 cm long. Flowers are pinkish-purple to magenta, bilabiate and tubular with a yellow throat, about 3–5 cm long, arising on pedicels 3–7 cm long, and the plant favors moist habitats along streams, seeps, and wet meadows in montane to subalpine elevations.

In cultivation, it prefers moist to wet soils and can tolerate part shade to full sun, with regular irrigation in garden settings; hardy to USDA zones 5a–10b. Propagation is easy by root divisions of enlarging clumps or by seeds, and it is suitable for containers and borders, often used in pollinator-friendly plantings because it is pollinated by bees.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3.5 feet

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-10b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, loamy, rich soil (pH 5.0–7.0)

Soil Drainage

Moist to very wet, poorly drained soils.

Soil pH

5.0–7.0, Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Pink to purple (magenta)

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Bees: Yes (Bombus and Osmia), Birds: Yes