Native Habitat:
Open meadows, grasslands, and coastal bluffs.
 
Bloom Time:
April – June
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Annual herb, 6–18 inches tall, with branching stems and narrow, opposite leaves. Produces dense clusters of small, pink to reddish flowers at stem tips.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun; thrives in sandy, loamy, or rocky soils with good drainage. Tolerates dry conditions once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Camassia quamash, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca roemeri.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds early-season color, delicate flowers, and ground-level texture to urban meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. Works well in layered plantings, low-maintenance borders, and habitat-focused gardens.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Dense foliage provides shelter for insects and small ground-dwelling invertebrates.
 
Historical Use:
Used ornamentally for its vibrant spring blooms; valued in naturalized and pollinator-friendly urban and habitat plantings.