Lacy Phacelia is an annual wildflower native to California that grows 1-3 feet tall and 1-4 feet wide, with delicate fernlike leaves and pale blue flowers from March to May. It is easy to grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil with average watering. Lacy Phacelia attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators with its abundant nectar, and can be used to inhibit nematodes and improve soil structure in gardens, borders, and between vegetable rows. Once finished blooming, the plants make good compost material or cut flowers.

1. Lacy (Tansy) Phacelia – Phacelia tanacetifolia
(fa-SEE-lee-uh tan-uh-kee (or see)-ti-FOH-lee-uh)
Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf family)
Native to: California. Sandy to gravelly slopes and open flats to 4000' (6000' in Mojave Desert),
many plant communities.
annual wildflower mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width: 1-4 ft ft.
Sprawling annual plant with delicate, fernlike leaves. Size and form depend on spring rainfall.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms Mar-May (longer with garden water). Spring- and summer-planted
phacelia flowers approximately 6 – 8 weeks after germination. Flowering continues for 6 to 8 weeks.
Clusters of pale blue flowers uncurl as they bloom. The stamens are twice as long as the petals,
giving the plant an unusual and attractive appearance.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Lovely addition to native wildflower garden/prairie. It can be sown in a border,
in containers, or between rows of vegetables where it will attract pollinating insects. It inhibits
nematodes and improves soil structure. Once the blossoming is finished, the plants make good
compost material. Useful as a cut flower with its unusual and attractive blooms, strong stems, and
long vase-life. Does fine under trees with high shade.
Sensible substitute for: non-native blue-purple annuals.
Attracts: Excellent nectar production, so very attractive to bees, butterflies and other insects.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade
Any well-drained soil; any local pH
average, but don’t over-water; will do fine with average garden watering regimen
Benefits from low dose of fertilizer and/or organic mulch
Management:
Easy to grow.
Self-seeds.
May become weedy (but just pull out the unwanted
seedlings).
Propagation: from seed: easy; sow in place in fall.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 8, 10, 16, 19
12/13/10
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