Scarlet gilia for birds in British Columbia
Red trumpets for Broad-tailed and Rufous hummingbirds. Native to British Columbia, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Ipomopsis aggregata
- Native status
- Native in British Columbia
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- British Columbia birds supported
- 4
- Nesting birds among them
- 4
Growing conditions in British Columbia
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
British Columbia birds that use Scarlet gilia
Year-round residents (1)
Summer breeders (3)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole
Nesting season it supports in British Columbia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Scarlet gilia:
- Anna's Hummingbird — January–May
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — May–July
- Rufous Hummingbird — June
- Bullock's Oriole — June–July
Native plants to pair with Scarlet gilia in British Columbia
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.
Spring flowers for Rufous Hummingbirds, early fruit for thrushes.
Frequently asked
Is Scarlet gilia native to British Columbia?
Yes. Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) is recorded as native in British Columbia. British Columbia spans Canada 1a–9a.
What birds does Scarlet gilia attract in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, Scarlet gilia supports 4 backyard birds, including Anna's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole.
Does Scarlet gilia help nesting birds in British Columbia?
4 of those birds nest in British Columbia: Anna's Hummingbird (January–May), Black-chinned Hummingbird (May–July), Rufous Hummingbird (June), Bullock's Oriole (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.