Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

California sunrise bush monkey flower (Diplacus aurantiacus 'California sunrise') is a perennial flowering shrub in the Phrymaceae family, commonly known as the monkey flower or lopseed family.  It occurs throughout California, on rocky cliffs, hillsides, canyon slopes, disturbed areas, borders of chaparral and open forest below 5,000 feet in elevation. California sunrise bush monkey flower is a strikingly colored horticultural selection with flared light-maroon trumpets, bright peach to orange petals and a white throat striped with bright orange nectar guides.

Well-draining soil and careful summer watering will support fast growth. The shrub can be pruned but will not survive hard pruning.

Deer and other herbivores generally leave the slightly tacky foliage alone, but the flowers are a big hit with beneficial insects and hummingbirds. They attract pollinators with nearly year-round bloom in mild climates, providing an important source of nectar in winter and early spring when not much else is in full bloom. 

Plant type

Shrub

Form

Mounding, Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Orange, Lavender, White

Flowering season

Summer, Spring, Winter

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Summer irrigation

Very Low, Low

Hummingbirds
Bats
Birds
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies