Native Habitat:
Open woodlands, grasslands, and meadows throughout western North America, including the Willamette Valley. Prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a variety of soil types.
 
Bloom Time:
May – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial bunchgrass, 2–4 feet tall, forming dense clumps with bluish-green, arching leaves and slender flowering spikes. Spreads slowly via tillers.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky substrates. Tolerates seasonal drought once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Achillea millefolium, Camassia quamash, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides structure, texture, and vertical interest in urban meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Excellent for erosion control, layered plantings, and creating dynamic, naturalistic landscapes in urban settings.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees and small pollinators. Dense clumps offer cover for insects, small mammals, and ground-nesting birds.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for weaving, thatching, and minor food or forage applications; valued in ecological restoration and ornamental plantings.