Diplacus aurantiacus var. lompocensis Vandenberg Monkey Flower

A large-flowered monkey flower from Vandenberg AFB. Sand on hard pan in full sun to part shade. Its neighbors are Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos rudis, Ceanothus impressus, Quercus agrifolia, Artemisia californica, Solanum xanti, and Salvia mellifera. Plant in the forefront of Ceanothus or Arctostaphylos to make a show. This plant has grown and flowered well in most coastal locations, and some tough inland locations. Inland give part shade and it's a happy camper. Can survive fine on about 12 inches of annual rainfall inland, six to eight in coastal situations. In heavy clays plant on a slope. Wash the foliage off in the summer months about once per week if you want to keep plant from going summer deciduous (but this will usually shorten life of the plant). Latest update: this plant is now considered a Mimulus aurantiacus intervarietal hybrid. (Mimulus aurantiacus, Diplacus lompocensis) Click here for more about Monkeys in California