Native Habitat:
Open forests, meadows, and rocky slopes in western North America, including the Willamette Valley. Prefers well-drained soils and sunny to partially shaded sites.
 
Bloom Time:
August – October
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 1–3 feet tall, with erect stems, narrow lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of daisy-like flowers with purple to lavender rays and yellow centers. Forms clumps over time.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils. Tolerates moderate drought once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Camassia quamash, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds late-season color, vertical interest, and texture to urban meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Works well in layered plantings with grasses and perennials, providing aesthetic appeal and supporting ecological function during late summer and fall.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, bumblebees (Bombus spp.), butterflies, and other pollinators. Foliage provides cover for insects and small ground-dwelling wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for minor medicinal purposes and valued ornamentally in meadow and habitat plantings.