Rewilding My Lot

I introduced Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra) by seed in 2023 and 2024 and have a solid population now that is propagating on its own. I sowed seed twice because this is a biennial plant with a two-year lifecycle, and I wanted to have blooms every year.

The photo below was taken in May 2025, a year ago.

And here are a couple more photos from this year. The spikes reach a height of 4-5 feet. Some have opened their blooms, but most have not yet.

This year I don’t think I’ll have as many blooming plants as last year, but judging by the number of first-year rosettes that are growing, next year may yield a bumper crop.

Earlier this year I transplanted a few first-year Standing Cypress rosettes to the wildflower meadow in front of the house, so I hope to see a few of those blooms there next year as well.