Ipomopsis rubra (Standing Cypress)

Adding lovely vertical lines in the landscape, Ipomopsis rubra (Standing Cypress) is a biennial or short-lived perennial boasting panicles of scarlet red tubular flowers, widely flaring at the rim, and marked with orange or yellow dots on the inside. They are arranged in a thick spike, which opens from the top of the stem downward. Blooming all summer, the ravishing blossoms are carried proudly atop erect, unbranched, leafy stems. Eye-popping, Ipomopsis rubra provides an outstanding garden performance and adds color as well as a lovely spiky texture to the garden. Hummingbirds will thank you for it.

• Grows up to 2-5 ft. tall (60-150 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Freely self-seeds when happy.
• Best grown in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates some light shade. Drought tolerant once established.
• Attracts streams of hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators, but it is deer resistant.
• Provides a bold and striking impact in borders, cottage gardens, or prairie plantings.
• Generally disease and pest free.
• The first year of growth will produce a ferny rosette, followed by a flower spike in the second year. When the spike has bloomed out, cut it off to encourage new spikes to emerge.
• Sow seed into lightly raked soil in the fall to propagate.
• Native to the southeastern United States.