Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra) - ORGANICALLY GROWN

Standing Cypress

Ipomopsis rubra

Other Common Names: Scarlet Gilia, Texas Plume

🌱 Organically grown from locally collected seed — well adapted to our area.

Top Pick: Towering spikes of brilliant red tubular flowers make this North Texas native one of the most dramatic hummingbird plants for sunny, well-drained gardens.

Quick Plant Info

• ☀️ Light: Full Sun
• 💧 Water: Low
• 🌿 Type: Biennial / Short-Lived Perennial Wildflower
• 📏 Mature Size: Flowering stalks approximately 3–6 ft tall × 1–2 ft wide

Description

A spectacular locally sourced native wildflower built for hummingbirds.

Standing Cypress begins as a low rosette of finely divided foliage before producing a remarkably tall, slender flowering stalk covered with brilliant red tubular flowers. When in bloom, the flower spikes can rise several feet above surrounding vegetation, creating one of the most dramatic vertical accents in a native garden.

The tubular red flowers are especially well suited to hummingbirds, which are among the plant's most conspicuous visitors. Standing Cypress also attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects.

🌱 Locally collected & organically grown

These plants were organically grown from seed collected locally, helping preserve plant material already adapted to the conditions of our area. Choosing locally sourced native plants can also help support the ecological relationships between native plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife in our region.

🌼 Why it works

• Organically grown from locally collected seed
• Native to North Texas
• Spectacular 3–6 ft flowering spikes
• Brilliant red tubular flowers
• Exceptional hummingbird appeal
• Highly drought tolerant once established
• Excellent vertical accent among grasses and lower-growing wildflowers
• Can maintain itself through reseeding where conditions are favorable

🐦 Wildlife value

Standing Cypress is particularly valuable to hummingbirds. Its tall stalks carry numerous tubular red flowers that provide nectar during the late spring and summer flowering period. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators also visit the flowers.

🌱 Where it thrives

Plant Standing Cypress in full sun with well-drained soil. It is especially well suited to sunny prairie gardens, rocky sites, open native plantings, and other locations where excess moisture does not accumulate.

• Hummingbird gardens
• Pollinator gardens
• Prairie and meadow plantings
• Naturalistic landscapes
• Dry, sunny borders
• Xeriscapes

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil and performs well in rocky, sandy, or otherwise relatively lean soils. Avoid consistently wet sites.

🌿 Understanding its life cycle

Standing Cypress is usually grown as a biennial or short-lived perennial. Young plants typically develop a low leafy rosette before producing their tall flowering stalks. Individual plants may decline after flowering, but they can reseed and establish new generations where growing conditions are favorable.

For a continuing population, allow at least some flowering stalks to mature and release seed before cutting them back. Because seedlings may appear in slightly different locations from year to year, Standing Cypress is especially well suited to prairie, meadow, and naturalistic garden designs.

💧 Water (establishment note)

Water regularly during establishment while allowing the soil to drain between waterings. Once established, Standing Cypress is drought tolerant and generally requires little supplemental irrigation.

Pickup Information

Order online and select a pickup time at checkout. Plants are held for your scheduled pickup window.

View Plant Sale Information & Policies