DESCRIPTION: These hardy and tender herbs are natives of the Americas, Australia, Africa and Asia. They form clumps, 8 to 10 inches high and have heart-shaped to oblong-lanceolate leaves, 3 to 6 inches long. Their flowers are pouched, 1 to 2 inches across and may be cream, red, rose, yellow, or **** and are often marked with a contrasting color. M. cupreus is a perennial that grows 6 to 9 inches tall. In the regions where it is hardy, it is great for the cooler, moister parts of the rock garden or for the edges of ponds and pools in the garden. Many varieties have been developed that come in a wide range of colors. M. aurantiacus, the Bush Musk, is a sub-shrubby kind that grows wild from California to Oregon; it may be set permanently outdoors in mild climates. It's wiry stems, which are woody toward the base, are clothed with sticky leaves and large, attractive flowers, which vary in color from buff or salmon to mahogany red. This plant is great for planting outdoors or for pots in a greenhouse or sunroom. It can bloom all year long. They can be kept dwarf and bushy by pruning in February. They can also be trained to a trellis or pillar. The Monkey flowers have probably been derived from M. luteus crossed with M. cupreus and M. variegatus. They are tender perennials, but are often grown as annuals. These plants have large flowers blotched and spotted with crimson, maroon or purple on a yellow or white background. M. Lewisii (Rose-colored Musk) is a tall perennial that has large, rose-colored flowers in July and August. This Musk is well adapted for the cooler, moist parts of the garden. Its variety albus has pure white flowers, which will come true from seed. M. moschatus is a low-growing perennial that has creeping habit. The small, flowers are yellow and the stems are clothed with a somewhat "clammy" down. M. cardinalis and the hybrid Musks are great pot plants. They will bloom in 5- or 7-inch pots and M. moschatus will bloom in 5-inch pots.
POTTING: They need moist, well-drained soil. They should have mostly shade; sun only early or late in the day, though more is needed if the temperatures are cooler, about 40 to 60 degrees. They can be planted in one- to two-gallon containers of rich soil and set in water that is up to 2 inches over the crown.
PROPAGATION: These plants can be propagated by division or cuttings inserted into sandy soil in the spring and summer. Seeds may also be sown indoors at 65 to 70 degrees, 8 to 12 weeks before it's safe to plant them outside. Grow them at cooler temperatures of 50 to 65 degrees.
VARIETIES: M. cardinalis; M. cupreus; M. luteus & varieties Bee's Dazzler, Brilliant, Cerise Queen, Fireflame, Leopard, Red Emperor, Whitecroft Scarlet; M. aurantiacus (the Bush Musk); M. luteus (the Yellow Musk); M. moschatus; M. Lewisii (the Rose-colored Musk); M. luteus variegatus; M. primuloides.