Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) is in the phlox family family (Polemoniaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,089 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to August, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Scarlet Gilia: observations by month (U.S.)
About Scarlet Gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata is a species of flowering plant in the phlox family (Polemoniaceae), commonly known as scarlet trumpet, scarlet gilia, or skyrocket because of its scarlet red flowers with lobes curving back as if blown back by rocketing through the air.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Scarlet Gilia by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 736 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Utah | 414 | June | May–Sep |
| California | 264 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Oregon | 192 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Washington | 177 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 81 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Wyoming | 58 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Idaho | 50 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Texas | 50 | October | Aug–Oct |
| Arizona | 37 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Nevada | 24 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Montana | 6 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (phlox family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Scarlet Gilia?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to August.
Where is Scarlet Gilia most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Utah, California.