Gilia

Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata), also called skyrocket, is a western North American biennial or short-lived perennial that begins as a low rosette and later sends up a tall flowering stem. Its tubular flowers are usually scarlet, with pink, salmon, or white forms also reported, and are especially useful in naturalistic, dryland plantings. ### Habitat and season In the West it grows in sunny mountain openings, shrublands, sagebrush steppe, and alpine timber communities. Flowering time varies with elevation and region: the USDA guide describes early- to mid-summer bloom, while Oregon State University Extension notes late-summer into fall flowering in its regional profile. Expect stems commonly around 18–24 inches, sometimes reaching 3 feet, and allow the plant to complete its rosette stage before flowering. ### Wildlife value Long tubular blooms are visited by hummingbirds and butterflies. Scarlet gilia is drought tolerant and shade intolerant according to the [USDA NRCS plant guide](https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_ipag.pdf); the [National Park Service profile](https://home.nps.gov/arch/learn/nature/polemoniaceae_ipomopsis_aggregata.htm) records its scarlet flowers and regional habitats, and [OSU Extension](https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ipomopsis-aggregata-scarlet-gilia) summarizes its life cycle and pollinators. ## Maintenance Use well-drained soil and avoid heavy shade. Leave some flowering stems to set seed if natural reseeding is wanted, and do not expect every rosette to flower in its first season.