Overview
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' is a upright, clump-forming, spreading herbaceous perennial in the genus Mimulus, part of the Phrymaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include bog gardens, pond margins, cottage gardens and informal gardens.
About
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' is a deciduous cultivar of the Mimulus genus, which includes annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs known for their paired leaves and tubular or trumpet-shaped flowers. This upright, clump-forming, and spreading plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, favouring sheltered, south-, east-, or west-facing aspects. It grows well in fertile, well-drained soils of various types, including loam, sand, clay, and chalk, across a range of pH levels from acid to alkaline, and prefers moist to very moist conditions. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for bog gardens, pond margins, cottage, and informal gardens, with interest in spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Mimulus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist, Very moist
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Upright, Clump-forming, Spreading
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Bog gardens, Pond margins, Cottage gardens, Informal gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon'
- Propagation
- Seed, Division
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- Susceptible to powdery mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon'?
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' need?
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, sand, clay and chalk. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist to very moist.
Is Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' hardy in the UK?
Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Mimulus cardinalis 'Red Dragon'?
Seed, Division.
More in the Mimulus genus
- Mimulus cupreuscopper-coloured monkey flower
- Mimulus eastwoodiae
- Mimulus longiflorussalmon bush monkey flower
- Mimulus luteus 'Queen's Prize'
- Mimulus repenscreeping monkey flower
- Mimulus x burnetiicoppery monkey flower
- Mimulus 'Big Boy Orange'
- Mimulus 'Bonfire'