Ipomopsis rubra aka Skyrocket

Ipomopsis rubra belongs to the phlox family, Polemoniaceae. Gardeners call it standing cypress or scarlet gilia. Its native range covers the central and eastern United States. Garden sources place its origin in the Southeast. This upright wildflower grows as a biennial or short-lived perennial. Gardens can keep it for years through fresh seedlings. Each plant need not live long for the planting to last.

Plants reach about 3–5 feet [0.91–1.52 m] in gardens. Some reach 6 feet [1.83 m], within North Carolina State Extension's listed range. Their spread reaches about 2 feet [0.61 m]. Narrow stems rise straight up and bear many leaves. The green stems lack scent and tend not to branch. Soft, green leaves split into fine, threadlike parts. These pinnate leaves give the plant a light, feathery look. Leaves reach about 0.08 feet [0.025 m] long. A low rosette forms during the first year. A leafy flowering stem follows in the second year.

Red flowers crowd the stem tips in narrow panicles. Each tube opens into five spreading, star-shaped lobes. The inner surface bears yellow or orange marks. Bloom runs from June through August in Missouri Botanical Garden's account. Chicago Botanic Garden also records flowers in May. Hummingbirds visit the blooms, and Chicago also lists butterflies and birds. The fruit forms a capsule with two sections. It holds glossy black seeds that can renew the planting.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. It also accepts a little shade. Sandy, gravelly soils and medium loam suit it. Soil can range from dry to moderately moist. Established plants tolerate drought, and deer tend to leave them alone. Sources place it in USDA zones 6–9. Winter survival becomes less dependable in zone 5. Growth is fast, and routine care needs are low. Sow seed in fall on soil raked at the surface. Removing a spent flower spike can prompt another bloom.

Use standing cypress in sunny borders or grouped meadow plantings. It also suits cottage, native, rock, and pollinator gardens. Its tall flower stems add height above lower plants. Allowing seed to fall helps maintain a naturalized patch. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease concerns. The supplied sources do not establish edible uses or toxicity.