Habitat: Ubiquitous in fields, meadows, roadsides, clearings, mesic to dry upland forests, and other habitats. Common throughout.
It is a wonderful wildlife plant that attracts butterflies. Makes excellent cut or dried arrangements. Very easy to divide. This plant is moderately salt tolerant. Plants can spread aggressively by rhizomes and they self-seed regularly. After initial bloom, it can be dead-headed back to a lateral flower bud to encourage rebloom. Generally considered too weedy to use in borders but works well as a flowering ground cover in meadows, prairies, and naturalized areas. It can even be a lawn alternative in sunny areas with little foot traffic. It can be unattractive by the end of summer after it blooms and can be pruned back severely or mowed with a rotary mower on the highest setting in naturalized areas. Large clumps should be divided as necessary to maintain healthy and vigorous growth and performance and reduce disease.