Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © beschwar (iNaturalist #57766957)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polemoniaceae
- Genus:
- Ipomopsis
- Species:
- Ipomopsis aggregata
- USDA Symbol:
- IPAG
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Spotted Straw Moth (Heliothis phloxiphaga)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) Butterflies:Papilio multicaudata
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Often increases after fire due to reduced competition and increased seed germination on mineral soil.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, rocky slopes and meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-8 weeks; surface sow on moist soil and keep warm after stratification.
Pre-treatment: 45 days of cold, moist stratification
Establishment: Seed from montane Oregon germinated poorly under all conditions. Slightly higher emergence was obtained from plants grown outdoors under cool, fluctuating growing conditions but these plants were not ready to be transplanted to the field the same spring. Collecting seed is difficult and time-consuming due to the plant's indeterminate flowering and forceful dehiscence of capsules upon ripening.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Resents transplanting.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- Butterfield Seeds (seeds)