< Back

Bush Monkeyflower

Diplacus aurantiacus

true

1 gallon

Bush Monkeyflower

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Bush Monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus)

Bush Monkeyflower is native throughout most of southern California, including our local mountains and the Mojave Desert. This small, perennial shrub typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and as wide, with deep green, sticky leaves 1–2½ inches long and about ½ inch wide. The cheerful orange and yellow blooms—said to resemble a monkey’s face—light up the garden in spring and can continue into summer under the right conditions.

In our low desert heat, Bush Monkeyflower does best in filtered shade with well-draining soil. While drought tolerant, it will require some irrigation here and may go summer dormant if stressed by heat and dryness. Occasional summer shade can help prolong bloom and keep the foliage looking fresh. It tolerates temperatures down to about 12–15°F and is generally avoided by rabbits and deer.

Bush Monkeyflower is valued for its vibrant flowers that draw hummingbirds and bees. It’s also an important host plant for certain butterfly larvae. Even when plants look a bit tired in the off-season, they are best left in place until rejuvenated by cooler temperatures in fall.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Variable Checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Nectar Source: Hummingbirds; native bees (including bumble bees and sweat bees)
Bird Resources: Nectar; caterpillars; nesting cover
Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Plant Care

Native region:

Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low-Moderate

Exposure:

Filtered Shade

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Orange;Red;White'Yellow

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

Rejuvenate the plant in the fall

Cold Hardiness:

15 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.