Utah State University

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Gilia aggregata

Common Name      Scarlet Gilia

Family            Polemoniaceae (Phlox family)

 

Description
Very upright biennial, cluster of single stems with long thin leaves loosely mixed with 1" long bright red to pink, trumpet like flowers.

Range
Moderately dry soils from 2,400 to 9,000 ft throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Culture
Well drained soil, full sun.

Value
The tall spike of long, trumpet-like scarlet flowers of Gillia is a show stopper whenever it appears because there are very few flowers like it. Being a biennial, it needs to reseed to have a long-lasting effect. It is not common in the trade.

Propagation
Soak seed in gibberillic acid 1:500 ppm for 5 hours. Rinse and sow in container. Cover to depth. Germination is a bit sporadic and takes 10 to 20 days. For an easy way to sow these sprinkle seed in the desired area in the fall, rake in lightly and wait for spring. As these plants are biennial they will bloom the second season.


 

 

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A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.

        Aldo Leopold