Native Habitat:
Open meadows, disturbed sites, roadsides, and forest clearings throughout western North America, including the Willamette Valley. Common in areas recovering from fire or disturbance.
 
Bloom Time:
June – September
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 3–6 feet tall, with upright stems, narrow lance-shaped leaves, and tall spikes of vibrant pink to magenta flowers. Spreads via rhizomes to form dense colonies.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun; prefers well-drained, fertile soils but tolerant of a wide range of soil types. Thrives in disturbed and open sites.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Eriophyllum lanatum, Achillea millefolium, Camassia quamash, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides vertical structure, vibrant color, and rapid colonization in urban meadows, pollinator gardens, and restoration plantings. Its tall flower spikes create seasonal visual interest and contrast with low-growing grasses and perennials. Ideal for habitat corridors, greenways, and naturalized landscapes that mimic post-disturbance succession.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract hummingbirds, native bees (Bombus spp.), butterflies, and other pollinators. Dense foliage and rhizome mats provide cover for small mammals and insects.
 
Historical Use:
Young shoots and leaves were traditionally consumed by Indigenous peoples; flowers and stems used in teas and for medicinal purposes.