A mat-forming rockery perennial herb, forming dense clumps to 30 cm or more high. Leaves to 2 cm long, about 1 mm wide, linear to elliptic, with hair at the base and a strong-pointed tip. Flower clusters terminal, of few flowers on a common stalk. Flowers with notched petals; spring.

N America

Popular as low-growing cultivars that include 'Alba', 'Amazing Grace', 'Betty', 'Emerald Cushion Blue', 'G.F. Wilson', 'Moonlight', 'Pink and White Stripe', 'Pink Buttons', 'Purpurea', 'Rosea', 'Rose Queen', 'Scarlet Flame', 'Tamaongalei', 'Temiskaming', 'Waterloo' and 'White Delight'.

subsp. brittonii (Small) Wherry is occasionally listed; it has deeply notched lavender-white petals.

 

P. ×procumbens Lehm., P. stolonifera × P. subulata, forms spreading clumps and has elliptic to oblanceolate leaves to about 2 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, with flowers in spring. P. 'Rosea' has pale pink flowers and P. 'Variegata' has deep pink flowers and leaves cream-variegated.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Polemoniaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.