Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata
(also known as Skyrocket, Skunk flower, Desert trumpets, Foxfire, Polecat plant)
zones 2-7
35 seeds
Scarlet Gilia has been known to modern science since 1806, when western explorers Lewis and Clark collected the first specimen along the Lolo Trail in the mountains of northern Idaho. A biennial growing from 1-3 ft tall, it bears clusters of bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers from May-August. Flowers may be speckled with white, and may may range in color from pale pink to deep scarlet. They are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds.
Scarlet Gilia grows in a variety of habitats, from desert canyons and cliffs to montane meadows, and subalpine rock fields. These plants are relatively short-lived and often die after flowering. In many instances, individuals will persist for one to several years in rosette form, consisting only of a basal clump of deeply pinnately lobed leaves.
It has historically been used for a variety of ethnobotanical purposes, from medicine to glue to dye.
Scarlet Gilia grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds in early spring. Keep them well watered, but not saturated, until seedlings are established. Scarlet Gilia requires well-drained, fertile, dry soil in sun or part shade.
Ipomopsis aggregata
(also known as Skyrocket, Skunk flower, Desert trumpets, Foxfire, Polecat plant)
zones 2-7
35 seeds
Scarlet Gilia has been known to modern science since 1806, when western explorers Lewis and Clark collected the first specimen along the Lolo Trail in the mountains of northern Idaho. A biennial growing from 1-3 ft tall, it bears clusters of bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers from May-August. Flowers may be speckled with white, and may may range in color from pale pink to deep scarlet. They are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds.
Scarlet Gilia grows in a variety of habitats, from desert canyons and cliffs to montane meadows, and subalpine rock fields. These plants are relatively short-lived and often die after flowering. In many instances, individuals will persist for one to several years in rosette form, consisting only of a basal clump of deeply pinnately lobed leaves.
It has historically been used for a variety of ethnobotanical purposes, from medicine to glue to dye.
Scarlet Gilia grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds in early spring. Keep them well watered, but not saturated, until seedlings are established. Scarlet Gilia requires well-drained, fertile, dry soil in sun or part shade.
Ipomopsis aggregata
(also known as Skyrocket, Skunk flower, Desert trumpets, Foxfire, Polecat plant)
zones 2-7
35 seeds
Scarlet Gilia has been known to modern science since 1806, when western explorers Lewis and Clark collected the first specimen along the Lolo Trail in the mountains of northern Idaho. A biennial growing from 1-3 ft tall, it bears clusters of bright red, trumpet-shaped flowers from May-August. Flowers may be speckled with white, and may may range in color from pale pink to deep scarlet. They are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds.
Scarlet Gilia grows in a variety of habitats, from desert canyons and cliffs to montane meadows, and subalpine rock fields. These plants are relatively short-lived and often die after flowering. In many instances, individuals will persist for one to several years in rosette form, consisting only of a basal clump of deeply pinnately lobed leaves.
It has historically been used for a variety of ethnobotanical purposes, from medicine to glue to dye.
Scarlet Gilia grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds in early spring. Keep them well watered, but not saturated, until seedlings are established. Scarlet Gilia requires well-drained, fertile, dry soil in sun or part shade.