Type: Perennial
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Height: 18–36" tall (occasionally up to ~4')
Spread: 12–36"
Spacing: 15–24" apart
Bloom Time: May–July (late spring to early–mid summer depending on climate)
Bloom Description: Upright spikes of vivid blue to violet tubular flowers about 1" long with pale throats, borne in dense clusters above narrow green foliage; long-lasting blooms are highly attractive to pollinators.
Maintenance: Low; cut back spent flower stalks after bloom or leave seed heads for reseeding and wildlife value. Plants are long-lived and form expanding clumps over time, especially in lean soils.
Soil Drainage: Well-drained soil is essential; thrives in sandy, rocky, or gravelly soils and tolerates dry conditions better than wet or poorly drained sites.
Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; an important nectar source for native pollinators and visited frequently by bumblebees and hummingbirds.
Garden Use: Excellent for pollinator gardens, native plant landscapes, dry gardens, and rock gardens. Its tall spikes of brilliant blue flowers provide strong vertical color and combine well with prairie grasses and drought-tolerant perennials.