Perennial native to the western part of North America, from California to British Columbia, and east to Alberta and New Mexico. It colonizes open rocky slopes and alpine zones in high mountains.
The plant forms compact and dense clumps, 5 to 10 cm in height, at ground level. The leaves are narrow and linear.
The flowers with five rounded petals are pale pink to white slightly washed with lilac, with a more pronounced central eye. They densely cover the cushion at the time of flowering.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to August depending on altitude. In cultivation, it generally occurs in April-May.
It requires a very well-drained, mineral soil, in full sun, and does not tolerate stagnant winter moisture.