Ipomopsis spp.
skyrockets
Western North America and Mexico, with one species in South America
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsDrought Tolerant
Native to North America
Overview
Ipomopsis spp. is a genus of about 30 species of annual, biennial, and short-lived perennial herbs in the phlox family, Polemoniaceae, commonly called skyrockets or gilias. All but one species are native to North America, concentrated in the western United States and Mexico, with a single species in southern South America. Plants begin as a basal rosette of finely divided, often thread-like leaves, then send up slender flowering stems 1-6 ft (30-180 cm) tall. The flowers are narrowly tubular, 0.8-1.5 in (2-4 cm) long, and flare into five lobes; colours range from scarlet and red through pink to pale yellow and white. Tubular red-flowered species such as I. aggregata and I. rubra are pollinated by hummingbirds and hawkmoths. Most species grow on dry, open slopes, sandy soils, and disturbed ground, adapted to lean, fast-draining sites rather than rich garden beds. Biennial species flower once in their second year and then die, persisting in gardens only by self-sown seed. The narrow flowering spikes can need staking on exposed sites.
Native Range
Native to North America, with the centre of diversity in the western United States and Mexico, and one species in southern South America. I. aggregata ranges through the mountain West, and I. rubra occurs in the southeastern United States.Suggested Uses
Grown in wildflower meadows, native and pollinator plantings, and dry sunny borders, and used in hummingbird gardens for the tubular red flowers. Tall species are set toward the back of borders, spaced 10-18 in (25-45 cm) apart.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 6'
Width/Spread6" - 1'3"
Bloom Information
Most species flower from early to late summer, roughly June to September, with the tall spikes opening from the base upward over several weeks. Red-flowered species draw hummingbirds during the day and hawkmoths at dusk. Bloom is heaviest in the second year for biennial species.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
scarlet to red, also pink, yellow, and whiteFoliage Description
green, finely dividedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight