Ipomopsis Species, Red Texas Star, Scarlet Gilia, Standing Cypress, Texas Plume

Ipomopsisrubra

Family
Polemoniaceae (po-le-moh-nee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ipomopsis (ip-oh-MOP-sis)
Species
rubra (ROO-bruh)
Synonym
Gilia rubra
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Red
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Biennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Fort Payne, Alabama

Prescott, Arizona

Craig, Colorado

Englewood, Colorado

Gainesville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida

Wauchula, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Divernon, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Harlan, Iowa

Sioux City, Iowa

Westfield, Iowa

Wichita, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Clearfield, Kentucky

Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Moorhead, Minnesota

Mathiston, Mississippi

Helena, Montana

Miles City, Montana

Lincoln, Nebraska

Newark, New York

North Tonawanda, New York

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Ladys Island, South Carolina

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

De Leon, Texas

Desoto, Texas

Dripping Springs, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Garland, Texas

Georgetown, Texas

League City, Texas

Linden, Texas

Lipan, Texas

Perrin, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Santo, Texas

Thornton, Texas

Weatherford, Texas

Kalama, Washington

Orchards, Washington

Merrill, Wisconsin

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

16
positives
0
neutral
1
negative
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E
Oak Park, IL | August 2017 | positive

I bought these seeds last year and planted them in the fall. The seller has standing cypress listed as a biennial, and I see that's how i...Read More

S
Lady's Island, SC (Zone 9a) | August 2015 | positive

I had read somewhere that this was an aquatic or marsh plant, so I planted it my container water garden. Surprise! It has been thriving...Read More

F
Rock Hill, SC (Zone 7a) | August 2014 | positive

A lovely SE native that I enjoy growing with many other wildflowers. I normally reseed my wildflower garden every 2 years regardless, bu...Read More

C
Trenton, ON (Zone 5b) | June 2014 | positive

I started with about 10 seeds 5 or 6 years ago, it reseeds every year for me and acts as a biennial. I never water it, never stake it, n...Read More

J
J
Weatherford, TX | May 2011 | positive

I got seeds from a friend last year and scattered the seeds in my flower bed last fall. Right now I have three 4' plants (one is bloomin...Read More

M
Morgantown, WV | July 2010 | positive

I've grown it as an annual in Zone 6 for the past 2 years. The first year, I started it early and then transplanted it, which worked fin...Read More

S
Weatherford, TX (Zone 7b) | February 2010 | positive

We're in North Central Texas. This plant is growing wild on the south side of my yard, six feet away from a tall fence. Mine is scattere...Read More

C
C
Gustine, TX (Zone 8a) | January 2010 | positive

This is a gorgeous wild flower that grows in N.Central-North Texas area - mostly where scrub & liveoak thrive. There is a large area alo...Read More

M
Dripping Springs, TX | December 2009 | positive

I adore this plant. I water it just a tiny bit when the ground warms up in the spring and in September if the fall rains don't come. This...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | May 2009 | negative

planted mine inground in partial shade and dead in 2 weeks. will not replace.

J
J
Divernon, IL (Zone 5b) | February 2009 | positive

Self seeder. Excellent companion plant to white flowers, nicotiana in particular.

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | February 2008 | positive

Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra, is a beautiful wildflower native to Texas and other States.

C
Chattanooga, TN | September 2007 | positive

I planted about 20-30 seeds in situ in early spring March 2007 in a full sun location. We had the late spring freeze like many and we ha...Read More

P
P
North Tonawanda, NY (Zone 6a) | March 2006 | positive

I wintersowed seeds of Ipomopsis Rubra (Standing Cypress) for the first time in 2005 and will never be without it in my hummer garden. I...Read More

M
Moorhead, MN | June 2004 | positive

I have been growing cypress for over 5 years. I received my first ones from my mother in the Rapid City, SD area, who
received h...Read More

G
Westfield, IA | April 2004 | positive

When I moved in 1968 to a farm house in NW Iowa, this tall red flowering biennial plant was growing in the yard. My sister-in-law from S...Read More

B
Orlando, FL (Zone 9b) | January 2004 | positive

I got my first standing cypress plants in spring of '03 as tiny seedlings (rosettes). I lost one before it even got in the ground, but t...Read More

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