Ipomopsis aggregata (Skyrocket)

One of the most common western wildflowers, Ipomopsis aggregata (Skyrocket) is a biennial or short-lived perennial boasting brilliant clusters of red, pink, or white tubular flowers all summer long. Each flower forms a long tube that bursts into a five-lobed star at the tip. It is well suited for pollination by long-beaked or long-tongued animals, especially hummingbirds (red flowers) and moths (white flowers). The showy blossoms are borne in the upper leaf axils atop sparsely-leaved, erect stems. The finely cut green basal leaves are silver speckled with fine white hairs. While Skyrocket is relatively short-lived and often dies after flowering, it often persists for one to several years in the form of a rosette of deeply pinnately lobed leaves. Eye-popping, Ipomopsis aggregata is highly drought-tolerant.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
• Best grown in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates some light shade. Water regularly until the plant becomes established.
• Attracts streams of hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators.
• Provides a bold and striking impact in borders, cottage gardens, or in prairie plantings.
• Generally disease and pest free.
• Native from southern British Columbia to Montana south to northern Mexico.