I was surprised and delighted to see four (seriously, just four) scarlet gilia flowering plants the other day in Spring Creek Basin.
The Southwest Colorado Wildflowers website says they’re in the phlox family, interestingly. Our phlox are always THE first things to bloom in the spring in the basin. They are very low-growing and small, and very widespread. They usually have white petals, but they can also be a soft pink or even purplish color. I would say that by sight, anyway, they don’t resemble at all their scarlet gilia … cousins? 🙂
I’ve only ever seen scarlet gilia at higher elevations in the San Juan Mountains, but apparently, they’re quite widespread over a variety of elevations, happily for admirers of these pretty, bright red flowers!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Amazing flowers! Phlox!!
They don’t look a thing like our phlox. 🙂 And they’re nowhere near as widespread; the phlox are everywhere … though giving away to summer flowers now.
I love rocket! They do seem to favor the high country but in wetter years we see quite a few out near the canyons. We always have a lot of phlox as first bloomers on our land too, TJ. They’re such pretty little guys.
I’m not sure I’ve noticed any scarlet gilia here before … but I don’t always take as much interest in the plants (non-equine edibles) as I should. I just saw the first sego lilies on Thursday!
They are very pretty!
They are! And very unexpected! 🙂