Native Habitat:
Open subalpine meadows, rocky slopes, and forest edges in western North America, including higher elevations of the Willamette Valley region. Prefers well-drained soils in sunny to partially shaded sites.
 
Bloom Time:
June – August
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 1–2 feet tall, forming clumps with basal leaves and slender flowering stems. Produces daisy-like flowers with lavender to pale purple rays and yellow centers.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky substrates. Tolerates seasonal dry conditions once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Camassia quamash, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds seasonal color, delicate vertical accents, and texture to urban meadows, rock gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Works well in layered plantings with grasses and perennials, providing early- to mid-summer blooms in habitat-focused urban gardens.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, bumblebees (Bombus spp.), and small butterflies. Foliage provides shelter for ground-dwelling insects and pollinator communities.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for minor medicinal purposes and valued ornamentally in meadow-style plantings.