Building your own backyard pond is definitely one of those “next level” gardening projects. It’s super rewarding, but there’s a lot to figure out—from picking the perfect spot and size to getting the technical stuff right. One of the most important steps, though, is choosing the right plants to bring it to life. If you’re looking for something perfect for the water’s edge, let me introduce you to the Monkey Flower.
A True American Native
Monkey Flowers (Mimulus) actually call North and Central America home. In the wild, you’ll usually spot them hanging out along the banks of streams or ponds. They absolutely love mucky, clay-heavy soil that’s packed with organic matter. They’re even happy sitting right in the water, as long as it’s not deeper than about four inches.
Low Maintenance Beauty
As long as you keep their “feet” wet, Monkey Flowers are incredibly easygoing. They aren’t picky about nutrients in the soil, and they’re pretty flexible when it comes to lighting. They’ll soak up the full sun just as happily as they’ll sit in partial shade. The only thing they really don’t like is a spot that’s in total, deep shade all day long.
Choosing the Right Variety
One of the first things we gardeners ask is: is it hardy? With Monkey Flowers, the answer is “it depends.” There are both annual and perennial varieties out there. The perennial types are usually quite hardy and can handle the winter just fine, since the climate in their native regions is pretty similar to what we see across much of the US and Europe.
A Range of Bloom Times
Depending on which species you pick, you can get a different window of color for your garden. The common Yellow Monkey Flower typically blooms from May all the way through September. If you go with *Mimulus primuloides*, you’ll see flowers until about July, while *Mimulus moschatus* can keep the party going as late as November.
Here’s the quick rundown on why Monkey Flowers are a great choice:
- They thrive right at the edge of your pond.
- They’re flexible with sun or partial shade and don’t need fancy fertilizers.
- You can find both annual and perennial types.
- Bloom times vary depending on which variety you plant.
