It is found in coastal hills and mountains from British Columbia south to the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

This annual herb produces showy pink to lavender flowers and is known for its late spring to early summer blooming period.

It is an annual plant growing to 1 m tall, with slender, linear leaves 2–7 cm long and 2–6 mm broad.

The fruit is a dry capsule, which splits open when mature to release the numerous seeds.

Popular cultivars introduced in the 1980s include cut flower (tall; 'Grace') and potted plant (short; 'Satin') types.