Random Ramblings

Random Ramblings: Personal observations on a wide variety of subjects. Photographs of creatures and things that are taken on seeing the unusual as well as everyday things.

Monkey Musk – Monkey Flower – Mimulus

A very long time ago when I was a young girl my mother came home with a bag. Being curious, I asked her what the bag contained. A wide smile beamed from her face as she pronounced it was some ‘Monkey Musk.’ She opened the bag to show me quite a large root of a soft-green fleshy plant with beautiful bell like flowers. Each flower was bright yellow and marked with red spots – indeed both the shape of the flower and the spots did appear to resemble the face of a monkey. From that very second – I have always loved ‘Monkey Musk.’

Monkey Musk - Monkey Flower - Mimulus

The spots on this particular specimen are not quite as large as those that were on my mother’s plant. This particular version, although widely available in Garden Centres and Nurseries is predominantly wild and is often found beside water.

There are also many dwarf versions that are usually brightly coloured but are all either red, orange, yellow or watery red as a background petal colour. Some of the dwarf versions contain spots others are just one colour.

Earlier this year whilst on a visit to Little Heath Nurseries, I found an Orange Sorbet Monkey Musk plant and thought that this would make a nice addition to my garden.

Orange Sorbet Monkey Musk - Monkey Flower - Mimulus

Orange Sorbet Monkey Musk

I usually try and visit these particular nurseries when I can as not only do they often have some unusual plants but there is a shop attached to the nursery that is like an Aladdin’s Cave. It is full of unusual and wonderful household and gardening items and is worth a visit for anyone who may be in the vicinity or nearby.

4 comments:

Zephyr Girl said...

Hi,
i just visited your blog, its really wonderful. If we work together, we have a wonderful opportunity for you to make money with your blog. If you are interested please do reply. I will be happy to explain. Its a lot of fun and its not a lot of work either. So please do reply.

Jackie said...

Polly i wonder if these would grow around my pond?

I am able to get Wisteria to grow and bloom.

Also I can't remember if I answered your question about the Zinnias.

I grew them in Maine which is very similar to England in weather conditions and they did pretty good.

The biggest difference was that here further south they are perennials. When in Maine I started my seeds indoors and had to plant each year!

I just love these and would really like to have a go with them around my pond.

They are wonderful!!

Antony Ratcliffe said...

Great, another plant lover, like your blog but can you please add some more english flowers pics for a missing them while abroad brit....ta

Windy said...

Hi Polly!

Lovely flowers! Oh so lovely.

And there is also a lovely Award for you to collect at:

http://dfoolonthehill.com/post/the-friendship-blog-award-from-david-funk

Wish you a blessed weekend.