Mimulus Red Emperor A vividly coloured, marginal pond-plant, Mimulus cupreus Red Emperor is a compact, herbaceous perennial of average vigour. The small, toothed, downy leaves are light green. Beautiful, trumpet-shaped bright scarlet-red flowers are borne June to August, and even into September, and are good for bees. Plant in a mesh basket to ⅓ of the water depth until established. Can also be grown as a marginal plant in reliably wet soil. Cut back flower-stems after flowering to prevent the plant’s energy going into seeds. Position: Full sunPlanting depth: 10cmGrowth rate: ModerateSeason of Interest: June to AugustHardiness: Fully hardySize: 8-16” (20-40cm) Spread: 20” (50cm) in 5-10 years Aquatic pot and compost variations Aquatic plants come in a variety of pot and compost variations that have different benefits for planting and growing. Mesh Pot (Aquatic Compost)Pot can be removed and plant can be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot and plant can also be placed directly into water to be container grown, but will still need repotting in time. Pot (Aquatic Compost)Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot (Regular Compost)Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above the water line. Cannot be planted directly into soil below the water line. Photos by Eileen Henderson and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 and Dick Culbert