1. Large-flowered Phacelia – Phacelia grandiflora
(fa-SEEL-ee-uh gran-di-FLOR-uh)
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)
Ocean-influenced areas from northern CA to Baja and San Gabriels/other coastal
mountain ranges; opening areas with sandy soils in coastal shrublands, chaparral, coastal sage
scrub and oak woodlands below 2500 feet.
Native to:
Growth characteristics: herbaceous annual wildflower mature height:1-3 ft. mature width:1-2 ft.
Sturdy-looking erect annual with one to many branches. Leaves are bright green, coarsely-toothed.
Entire plant is covered with sticky hairs. Note: Bristly hairs of all Phacelia may cause dermatitis
(rash) in susceptible persons.
Blooms April to June, sometimes earlier. Flowers are large (1-2 inches across),
fragrant, saucer-shaped and range from violet to light lavender. Plants are often covered with
blooms – extremely showy. Spring/summer irrigation may prolong bloom season. Produces many
tiny seeds in hairy capsules.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: One of our more showy native annuals. Looks great in dry mixed flower beds.
Great addition of native prairie/meadow.
where you can enjoy the fragrant flowers.
Super for large pots and planters.
Be sure to plant it
Sensible substitute for: Non-native blue/purple spring annuals.
Attracts: Excellent pollinator habitat – attracts a variety of bees, others; birds eat seed.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade
Well-drained soils – prefers sandy or rocky; any local pH
Needs good winter/spring moisture for growth; can extend flowering with deep
summer watering (Zone 2). Needs dry period to set seed.
None.
Management:
Plant is easy to grow. Will reseed nicely on bare ground.
Propagation: from seed: easy to grow. Plant in fall/winter in prepared ground or in pots.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19
12/12/10
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