Native Habitat:
Open grasslands, meadows, and slopes in western North America, including the Willamette Valley. 
 
Bloom Time:
May – July
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 1–2 feet tall, with slender stems and narrow, gray-green leaves. Produces delicate, cup-shaped sky-blue flowers with yellow centers.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun; thrives in well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils. Highly drought-tolerant once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Camassia quamash, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds early- to mid-summer color, delicate texture, and vertical interest to urban meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Works well in layered plantings, low-maintenance borders, and pollinator-friendly gardens.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, bumblebees (Bombus spp.), and butterflies. Foliage provides shelter for insects and ground-dwelling invertebrates.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for fiber and minor medicinal purposes; valued ornamentally for naturalized and pollinator-friendly garden plantings.