Red Emperor Monkey Flower (Mimulus cupreus ‘Red Emperor’)

Mimulus cupreus ‘Red Emperor’

Bright scarlet pond plant with long flowering colour and compact growth

Mimulus cupreus ‘Red Emperor’ is a striking marginal pond plant that delivers bold, vibrant colour throughout the summer months. Known for its rich scarlet red, trumpet shaped flowers, this compact perennial is perfect for brightening pond edges, bog gardens, and damp borders where a strong pop of colour is needed.

Flowering from June through to August, and often continuing into September in favourable conditions, ‘Red Emperor’ produces an abundance of vivid blooms that stand out beautifully against its soft, downy light green foliage. The contrast between the bright flowers and textured leaves creates a visually appealing display that works well in both natural and more formal planting schemes.

This plant is particularly well suited to pond margins and shallow water planting. It thrives in consistently moist to wet soil and can be placed in shallow water up to around 10 cm deep. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for smaller ponds, container water features, or the front of marginal planting areas where taller plants sit behind.

Beyond its visual appeal, Mimulus ‘Red Emperor’ also offers excellent wildlife benefits. Its nectar rich flowers attract pollinators such as bees and other beneficial insects, helping to support a healthy and balanced pond ecosystem. Its dense foliage can also provide light cover for smaller amphibians and insects around the pond edge.

This is a reliable and hardy plant in most UK conditions, capable of returning year after year with minimal effort. It performs best in full sun, where flowering will be at its most prolific, although it will tolerate partial shade. For best results, position it in a sheltered area to protect its softer stems from strong winds.

Whether you are looking to add colour to a wildlife pond or create a vibrant focal point in a smaller water feature, Mimulus cupreus ‘Red Emperor’ is an excellent choice that combines bold aesthetics with practical benefits.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

---

Key Benefits

• Bright scarlet red flowers provide strong summer colour
• Long flowering period from early to late summer
• Compact size ideal for smaller ponds and containers
• Attracts bees and pollinators
• Adds texture with soft, downy foliage
• Easy to grow and maintain

---

Reasons to Buy

• Perfect for adding vibrant colour to pond edges
• Great choice for small ponds and marginal shelves
• Pollinator friendly and wildlife supportive
• Low maintenance and reliable
• Works well in both natural and decorative planting schemes

---

Care Instructions

• Plant on a marginal shelf or in damp soil at the pond edge, allowing for shallow water coverage if required.
• Position in full sun for the best flowering display, though partial shade is tolerated.
• Keep soil consistently moist to ensure healthy growth.
• Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
• Divide clumps every few years in spring to maintain vigour.
• Protect from strong winds where possible due to softer stems.

---

Flowering Period

June to August, often extending into September

---

Size and Growing Conditions

---

Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Red Emperor Monkey Flower will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• Pack of 3 × 9cm Pots
• 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
• Pack of 3 × 1 Litre Baskets – each usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square
• 3 Litre Hexagonal Basket – 18 × 18 × 16cm

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Plants supplied in 9cm pots require potting into suitable aquatic baskets before being placed in the pond.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

---

Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Common Monkey Flower (Mimulus guttatus) and Scarlet Monkey Flower (Mimulus cardinalis). Explore the Mimulus pond plant group to compare the whole collection.

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.