Bush Monkey Flower
What is Bush Monkey Flower?
Bush Monkey Flower (Diplacus Aurantiacus) is a drought tolerant shrub native to California. It belongs to the family of shrubs known as lopseed or Mimulus. This evergreen shrub has beautiful orange, red, and yellow blooms that bloom in late spring and early summer. Its glossy green leaves are oval shaped and look almost like rosemary. This shrub is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance.
Where is Bush Monkey Flower generally used?
Bush Monkey Flower is an excellent addition to any garden or landscape. It is often used as a border plant or edging, or added to a rock garden. It can also be used as an accent plant to provide some extra color and interest to a landscape. It is also great for wildlife habitat, as its blooms provide food for birds and butterflies.
Where is Bush Monkey Flower found?
Bush Monkey Flower is found in coastal areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. It does best in well-drained, sandy soils, but can also tolerate clay or heavier soils. It prefers full sun, but can also tolerate light shade.
What are the health benefits of Bush Monkey Flower?
The flowers of Bush Monkey Flower contain compounds that have antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. The leaves can be used as a topical treatment for skin conditions such as eczema. They can also be used to soothe cuts, scrapes, and burns.
List of other similar ingredients:
- Desert Willow
- California Fuchsia
- San Diego Vigilia
- Buckwheat
- Red Bush Lupine
- California Sagebrush
- Creeping Mallow
- Manzanita
- San Diego Northridge
Care and Maintenance
Bush Monkey Flower is relatively easy to care for. It requires regular watering and should be pruned to keep it in a desired shape. It should also be fertilized in early spring and again in mid-summer with an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer. Mulch should be applied around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Bush Monkey Flower is susceptible to insect and bacterial pests, so it may be necessary to treat the plants with chemical insecticides.
It is also important to provide adequate sunlight to keep the plant healthy and to encourage more blooms. Bush Monkey Flower should be planted in well-drained soil. It should not be in areas where there is standing water or it could lead to rot or other diseases.