Native Habitat:
Open forests, grasslands, and rocky slopes.
 
Bloom Time:
June – September
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Perennial herb, 12–36 inches tall, with erect stems and narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Produces striking, blue to purple flowers with curled stamens along upper stems.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun; thrives in sandy, loamy, or gravelly soils. Drought-tolerant and adapted to dry, exposed sites once established.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Achillea millefolium, Camassia quamash, Eriophyllum lanatum, Sidalcea campestris, Festuca idahoensis.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Adds vertical structure, vibrant summer blooms, and pollinator support to urban gardens, naturalized landscapes, and xeric native plantings. Works well in layered plantings, low-maintenance borders, and habitat-focused gardens.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Foliage provides shelter for insects and small invertebrates.
 
Historical Use:
Used ornamentally for its dramatic flowers and pollinator support; valued in xeric and naturalized gardens, as well as native prairie-style plantings.