Striking 2 foot tall perennial known for its tubular blooms that open late in the growing season when many others have faded.

With a preference for full sun to partial shade, it benefits from consistent moisture, especially during periods of little rain.

Generally well-behaved, this slow-grower can form clumps and also seed around when happy. It pairs well with asters, blazing stars, goldenrods, and other late-season blooming perennials.

Found growing in the Northeast to Central US in moist meadows, woodland edges, and near streams or similar bodies of water where soil is rich and often slightly acidic.

Dark-green foliage emerges from dense rosettes in spring with leaves forming lushly on upright stems through summer. In fall the bottle-like flowers emerge and add dramatic blue jewels to the garden, sometimes as late as the end of October.

Bumblebees are the only pollinators strong enough to pry open the closed, bottle-shaped flowers that provide late-season nectar while sturdy stems provide shelter for overwintering insects.