Perch Supply
North Dakota · Perennial

Scarlet gilia for birds in North Dakota

Red trumpets for Broad-tailed and Rufous hummingbirds. Native to North Dakota, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Ipomopsis aggregata
Native status
Native in North Dakota
Hardiness zones
USDA 3a–4b
What birds get from it
nectar
North Dakota birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
4

Growing conditions in North Dakota

Continental northern prairie with prairie-pothole wetlands and the Missouri River breaks.

Short, warm summers with a peak nesting season in June.

North Dakota birds that use Scarlet gilia

Nesting season it supports in North Dakota

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Scarlet gilia:

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
  • Baltimore Oriole — June–July
  • Orchard Oriole — June
  • Bullock's Oriole — June–July

Native plants to pair with Scarlet gilia in North Dakota

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

Frequently asked

Is Scarlet gilia native to North Dakota?

Yes. Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) is recorded as native in North Dakota. North Dakota spans USDA 3a–4b.

What birds does Scarlet gilia attract in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, Scarlet gilia supports 4 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Bullock's Oriole.

Does Scarlet gilia help nesting birds in North Dakota?

4 of those birds nest in North Dakota: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August), Baltimore Oriole (June–July), Orchard Oriole (June), Bullock's Oriole (June–July).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — North Dakota
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.