1. * Desert (California) Bluebells – Phacelia campanularia
(fuh-SEE-lee-uh kam-pan-yoo-LAR-ee-uh )
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
Native to: Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of S. California; open, dry, sandy places below 4000 ft.
annual wildflower
mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: < 1 ft.
Attractive annual wildflower with dark green foliage. Plant is compact, stiff, usually erect. Leaves
are heart-shaped, toothed, fuzzy and edged in red. Stems are red-green. Neat looking, pretty.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring – anytime from March to May in our area. Flowers are in loose
clusters on stalks. Flowers are intense blue-purple, bell-shaped, extremely attractive. Anthers are
bright yellow. This plant has long been planted in gardens because of its lovely flowers.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Used wherever blue annual wildflowers are desired. Nice addition to mixed
wildflower gardens and prairies. Pretty along walks and at fronts of beds – or tucked in around
drought tolerant shrubs. Lovely massed or in containers. Good for habitat gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Blue Bells.
Excellent habitat plant. Flowers attract an array of pollinators including butterflies and
bees; birds love the seeds.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Well-drained sandy soils best, but others OK; any local pH.
Needs good winter-spring water; taper off after flowering to Zone 1
OK with light fertilizer, but not really needed
Treat like other annual wildflowers. May need to re-seed each year in the fall. Leaf
hairs may cause mild skin allergy in some – wear gloves.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy – sow in place right before a rainstorm for best results.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
6/23/10
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county
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