Nicknamed the 'Monkey Flower' or 'Monkey Musk', Mimulus are grown as half-hardy annuals, although some are really perennials or shrubs. 

They like full sun, and moist to well-drained soil. The annual varieties are propagated from seed. Sow the seed under gentle heat in February, planting out in May - using this method you can expect the first flowers in early June. Alternatively, sow them outside in early April, and the flowers will appear in late June.