Plant: clumping perennials to 4'

Origin: eastern Asia

Zone: 4 - 9

Flowers: large bluish flowers with darker veins on terminal spikes. Buds swell like balloons before they pop. White cultivars available.

Foliage: simple, nearly sessile leaves.

Culture: full sun to part sun in well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Dwarf cultivars work well in rock gardens and containers.