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Mimulus aurantiacus - Scrophulariaceae - 'Orange Bush Monkeyflower,' 'Sticky Monkeyflower,' Diplacus aurantiacus. - Unlike most Monkeyflowers, which are small streamside herbs, this is a shiny-leafed evergreen shrub which proudly holds its large orange flowers on upright branches. In fact, these are so different than ordinary Monkeyflowers that they are sometime placed in their own genus of Diplacus. It is drought and cold tolerant, beautiful in all seasons, and is a favorite of local Hummingbirds.

Blooming from midsummer onwards, it will be covered in multitudes of 1.5" tubular deep orange flowers. Naturally growing to 3'-4' tall, it also responds well to pruning. This species is very happy growing on rocky slopes and needs good soil drainage in flat areas. Perfectly drought tolerant, it will perform best with a late summer rest from watering. Reported cold-hardiness in California range from 12-15ºF, where you might see some leaf damage, to 5ºF, where the plant would be frozen to the ground. In these cases, it will pop up from the roots strongly as ever the following spring.