Phacelia (2024)

FAQs

Does Phacelia come back every year? ›

Lacy phacelia winter kills at approximately 18oF and so is not considered winter hardy in many locations. In its native range in California seeds germinate with the first rains in the fall, growing over the fall winter and spring and producing seed and dying back in early summer.

The name phacelia is from a Greek word signifying a fascicle, or bunch, and refers to the fascicled or clustered flower-racemes.

At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 18-36” and features fern-like foliage and long unusual stamens that protrude from five-lobed bell-shaped lavender-blue flowers that smell of grapes.

Phacelia is an excellent source of high quality nectar and pollen and as a result is excellent at increasing the population and diversity of beneficial insects. Phacelia is one of the top 20 crops for honey production.

Deadheading phacelia will extend the bloom period, which typically lasts from mid-spring until things heat up in mid-summer. Successive or fall plantings work well for these rapid-maturing plants if you live in cooler climates.

Perennial plants regrow every spring, while annual plants live for only one growing season, then die off.

Phacelia should flower around six to eight weeks after sowing. If growing as a green manure, make sure you dig the plants back into the soil before flowering, as this is when the plant material contains the most nutrients, and also you don't run the risk of letting the flowers develop seeds that can spread everywhere.

As a cover crop, Lacy Phacelia aggressively out-competes weeds and will absorb excess nitrates and calcium in the ground. At our farm, we have found that this crop conditions the top few inches of soil better than almost any other cover crop we've grown.

Sow phacelia in spring while the soil is still cool. Make sure seed is well covered, because phacelia seeds need darkness to germinate. Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-fourth inch (0.5 cm) deep.

They are sometimes cultivated in home vegetable gardens but a word of caution, the unripe fruits as well as other parts of the plants are poisonous and should not be consumed.

Is phacelia flower edible? ›

There are no edible uses listed for Phacelia tanacetifolia.

Since Lacy phacelia are incredibly attractive to bees and butterflies and by adding them to home gardens it increases the likelihood of the surrounding flowering plants or vegetables to be pollinated as well!

Growing Info. SOWING: Sow indoors 4 weeks before your last frost. Transplant out after last frost or after your last hard frost.

Common phacelia (Phacelia distans) is an annual herb that blooms in the spring. It is also known by the common names blue phacelia and wild scorpionweed, since the clusters of flowers are composed of pale lavender to violet-blue individual flowers arranged in a coil that resembles a curled scorpion's tail.

Phacelia are generally grown as annuals, and, once they've germinated and are growing well, they need very little maintenance. After the first few weeks, they'll only need to be watered during extended dry spells.

Lacy Phacelia is often used as a cover crop to protect and enrich soil, and will self-sow for a naturalized planting.

A single plant can have as many as 1,500 flower heads and is considered as a dangerous invasive plant worldwide.

It flowers from 6-8 weeks from sowing for a period of 6-8 weeks. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies. (Hoverflies eat a lot of aphids).

An annual, such as a zinnia, completes its life cycle in one year. Annuals are said to go from seed to seed in one year or growing season. During this period, they grow, mature, bloom, produce seeds and die.

Cranesbill (Geranium), also known as true geranium or hardy geranium, is a perennial that blooms throughout the entire summer. This is not the same plant as annual geraniums (Pelargonium) that are used as bedding plants. Cranesbill will grow in full sun or partial shade.

Does phacelia overwinter? ›

Phacelia has to be sown quite early in many areas to allow it to establish, and it won't survive a cold winter.

Tansy phacelia is an annual plant native to California and introduced as a bee plant to Europe during the early 1900's.

The prettiest cover crop of the bunch, crimson clover can be planted anytime during the growing season. The simple taproot of this annual legume mines and builds nitrogen in the soil. It is a smart choice for weed suppression, erosion control, and attracting pollinators.

Grasses are king when it comes to growing cover crops for supplemental grazing. In addition to being the highest yielding family of cover crops, they are vital in reaching other cover cropping goals such as reducing erosion, building organic matter, and suppressing weeds.

Growth Rate: Buckwheat, Berseem Clover, Austrian Winter Pea, annual ryegrass, and oats are all fast-growing crops ideal for providing quick cover between crops or on sensitive sites.

The best time to plant any plant is during the dormant season – in North America, this is usually late fall through early spring. While it's okay to plant during the rest of the year, it will require more maintenance from you in the form of watering, fertilizers, etc.

Roughly dig over the soil removing any weeds. Lightly tread over the soil. Broadcast (scatter) the seed over the soil surface, carefully rake and water well in. Allow the plants to develop for 50–60 days, usually just before flowering.

Attracts scores of beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps and minute pirate bugs. It provides insects with both pollen and nectar. Deer resistant!

Phacelia californica is a species of phacelia known by the common names California phacelia and California scorpionweed. It is native to coastal northern California and Oregon, where it grows in chaparral, woodland, and coastal bluffs and grassland.

Seed Saving: After the plant begins to turn brown, the Lacy Phacelia seeds will begin to ripen on the stem. Gather the seeds as soon as they have turned brown; watch them carefully to prevent loss, since Lacy Phacelia seeds can easily drop. Store Phacelia Tanacetifolia seeds in a cool, dry place.

Do hummingbirds like Phacelia? ›

Phacelia, Lacy – Phacelia tanacetifolia. A species loved by bees, hummingbirds and butterflies! This annual is easy to grow and does well in hot, dry conditions but can adapt easily to other environments and will attract a variety of pollinators to the garden or meadow.

The genus Phacelia contains more than 150 species and is restricted to North and South America. The vast majority of species occur in desert areas of the western United States and northern Mexico.

Ellen's Blue Butterfly Bush is a stunning perennial grown in zones 5-9. It reaches a height of 4-6 feet and attracts butterflies with its fragrant blue blooms.

Lacy Phacelia thrives in full sun and prefers poor, rocky, sandy, well-drained soils.

The tight coils of Phacelia flowers earned it the nickname of California scorpionweed, because they curve like a scorpion's tail. The only “sting” you might get from Phacelia is mild itching from the plant's prickly, fine hairs.

Tansy phacelia is an annual plant native to California and introduced as a bee plant to Europe during the early 1900's.

Phacelia has to be sown quite early in many areas to allow it to establish, and it won't survive a cold winter.

Once planted, Phacelia is a self-seeder, but is not invasive.

It is native California and southwestern regions of the United States. It is an annual flowering plant that blooms between the warmer months of March, April, and May.

Phacelia are generally grown as annuals, and, once they've germinated and are growing well, they need very little maintenance. After the first few weeks, they'll only need to be watered during extended dry spells.

What are the disadvantages of green manure? ›

As a cover crop, Lacy Phacelia aggressively out-competes weeds and will absorb excess nitrates and calcium in the ground. At our farm, we have found that this crop conditions the top few inches of soil better than almost any other cover crop we've grown.

Phacelia is one of our most useful hardy annuals with abundant flowers soft blue flowers and feathery grey/green foliage.

Sow and Plant

Make sure seed is well covered, because phacelia seeds need darkness to germinate. Broadcast seed into cultivated soil so that the seeds are about 2 inches (5 cm) apart and one-fourth inch (0.5 cm) deep. Thin to 10 inches (25 cm) apart in all directions.

Phacelia can be sown directly on the edges of your vegetable (or ornamental) garden, but also does well when planted indoors and transplanted out.

Phacelia tanacetifolia is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae, known by the common names lacy phacelia, blue tansy or purple tansy. Benth.

Plants with fuzzy leaves and hairy stems such as cucumbers, squash, borage (above), and phacelia typically turn away deer. The tiny flowers of borage and phacelia are amazing attractors of bees. Deer avoid strong-scented herbs and aromatic flowers.

There are no edible uses listed for Phacelia tanacetifolia.

They are sometimes cultivated in home vegetable gardens but a word of caution, the unripe fruits as well as other parts of the plants are poisonous and should not be consumed.