Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata (Pursh) Grant
This is a beautiful red-flowered (to pink) biennial or short-lived perennial. Young plants overwinter as rosettes of finely dissected, almost fern-like leaves and then bloom the following summer, often with multiple stalks of flowers that persist until frost. Flowers are a late-season favorite of hummingbirds and hawk moths in higher-elevation areas. The plants die after blooming, but not before distributing seeds across the garden. This plant can reseed a lot in favorable conditions. Seedlings should be transplanted when young for the greatest chance of survival.
Height: up to 3’
Width: 6-12”
Water needs: quite low to moist
Exposure: full sun
Availability in nurseries: uncommon but fairly easy to start from seed
Native range: western U.S. (WY native)
Plant family: Polemoniaceae
Photo by Jennifer Thompson
Photo by Jennifer Thompson
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